CVE-2016-10446 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile, and Snapdragon Wear MDM9206, MDM9650, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 820, SD 820A, and SD 835, incorrect configuration of the OCIMEM MPU may provide NonSecure Software access to OCIMEM memory used by TZ.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
This vulnerability affects Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive, mobile, and wearable chipsets including the MDM9206, MDM9650, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 820, SD 820A, and SD 835 processors. The issue stems from improper memory protection configuration within the On-Chip Interconnect Memory Protection Unit which governs access controls between different memory regions. The flaw allows non-secure software components to gain unauthorized access to memory areas that should be restricted to trusted execution environments, creating a critical security gap in the hardware security architecture.
The technical implementation involves a misconfiguration of the MPU that controls memory access permissions between the secure and non-secure worlds of the processor. This misconfiguration occurs within the OCIMEM memory subsystem which handles sensitive operations typically isolated in the TrustZone environment. When the MPU is improperly configured, it fails to enforce proper boundary checks between secure and non-secure memory spaces, enabling malicious software running in the non-secure world to access memory regions containing sensitive data or code typically protected by the TrustZone security framework.
This vulnerability creates significant operational impact by potentially allowing attackers to access confidential information stored in secure memory regions, execute arbitrary code within the trusted environment, or compromise the integrity of security-sensitive operations. The affected platforms include automotive systems where such vulnerabilities could impact vehicle security systems, mobile devices where user data may be exposed, and wearable devices that might store sensitive personal information. The vulnerability affects all Android versions prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch level, indicating a prolonged window of exposure for affected devices.
The security implications extend beyond simple data access, potentially enabling privilege escalation attacks and undermining the fundamental security model of the TrustZone architecture. This flaw represents a violation of the principle of least privilege and could allow attackers to bypass hardware-level security controls that are designed to isolate critical system functions from regular application software. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures and consider additional mitigations such as firmware updates, secure boot enforcement, and monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, specifically targeting the hardware security boundaries that protect sensitive operations. The vulnerability maps to CWE-284 which describes improper access control, and CWE-313 which addresses exposure of sensitive data through improper memory protection. Device manufacturers and security teams should prioritize this vulnerability for remediation, particularly in automotive and IoT deployments where the impact of compromised secure memory could have severe consequences for vehicle safety and user privacy.