CVE-2016-10447 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, SD 835, and SDX20, secure UI crash due to uninitialized link list entry in dynamic font module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile and wearable chipsets affecting Android devices patched before April 5 2018. The issue resides in the secure UI component where an uninitialized linked list entry occurs within the dynamic font module. This flaw represents a classic memory corruption vulnerability that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the secure UI framework which is designed to protect sensitive operations and user data. The uninitialized memory allocation creates a potential attack surface where malicious actors could exploit the improper handling of linked list entries to manipulate system behavior. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-457 which describes use of uninitialized variables and can be categorized as a memory safety issue in the context of mobile security. The affected hardware platforms include a wide range of Snapdragon chipsets from entry-level to high-end processors making the impact particularly widespread across the mobile ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the dynamic font module's handling of linked list data structures within the secure UI framework. When the system attempts to process font rendering operations through the secure UI, it encounters uninitialized memory entries that have not been properly initialized before use. This uninitialized state can contain arbitrary data from previous operations or memory allocation patterns that create predictable or exploitable conditions. The secure UI crash occurs specifically during font processing operations where the system expects properly initialized linked list nodes but encounters corrupted or uninitialized entries instead. This memory management error creates a potential for information disclosure or privilege escalation depending on the execution context. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where proper initialization checks are missing before memory operations within the secure UI components. Such issues are particularly dangerous in mobile platforms where secure UI elements are often used for authentication processes and sensitive data handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially enable more serious security breaches. When the secure UI framework crashes due to uninitialized memory entries, attackers could potentially leverage this instability to execute code with elevated privileges or access protected system resources. The vulnerability affects devices running Android versions prior to the specified security patch date, meaning that users with older devices remain at risk even after the patch was released. Mobile device manufacturers and carriers have a responsibility to ensure timely patch deployment across their device portfolios, but this vulnerability demonstrates how hardware-level issues can complicate the security update process. The widespread nature of affected Snapdragon chipsets means that numerous device models from different manufacturers could be vulnerable, creating a significant attack surface for threat actors. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper memory initialization in security-critical components such as secure UI frameworks which are designed to protect against exactly these types of exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require a multi-layered approach combining both software and hardware security measures. Device manufacturers should prioritize immediate deployment of security patches that address the uninitialized memory handling in the dynamic font module's secure UI implementation. Users should ensure their devices receive timely security updates from their carriers and manufacturers, particularly those devices running Android versions older than the April 2018 patch level. System administrators and security teams should monitor for affected hardware platforms and implement additional security controls such as application sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms. The vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure coding practices including proper initialization of all memory structures and thorough testing of security-critical components. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific memory corruption vulnerability. This case study reinforces the need for comprehensive security testing across all system components including hardware-software interfaces and demonstrates how seemingly minor memory management issues can create significant security risks in mobile platforms. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers exploit for privilege escalation and T1190 which addresses exploit public-facing application vulnerabilities, making it a critical concern for mobile security posture management.