CVE-2016-10448 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, MDM9615, MDM9625, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, and SDX20, a simultaneous command post for addSA or updateSA on same SA leads to memory corruption. APIs addSA and updateSA APIs access the global variable ipsec_sa_list[] outside of mutex protection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile and wearable chipsets affecting Android versions prior to 2018-04-05 security patch level. The flaw manifests when simultaneous command posts occur for addSA or updateSA operations on the same Security Association, creating a race condition that results in memory corruption. The vulnerability stems from improper synchronization mechanisms within the IPSec implementation where the global variable ipsec_sa_list[] is accessed without adequate mutex protection during concurrent operations. This represents a classic concurrency flaw that allows for unauthorized memory manipulation through carefully crafted API calls.
The technical implementation involves the addSA and updateSA Application Programming Interfaces which directly manipulate the global ipsec_sa_list[] array structure without proper locking mechanisms. When multiple threads attempt to modify the same Security Association simultaneously, the lack of mutual exclusion leads to inconsistent memory states and potential buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. This vulnerability falls under CWE-362 which specifically addresses race conditions and improper synchronization in concurrent programming environments. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level within the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset's IPSec subsystem, providing a potential pathway for privilege escalation and system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption to encompass potential system instability and security breaches. Attackers could exploit this race condition to execute arbitrary code within the IPSec processing context, potentially gaining elevated privileges or causing denial of service conditions. The affected hardware platforms include numerous Snapdragon chipsets spanning multiple generations from the SD 200 series through the SD 850 and SDX20 platforms, indicating a widespread exposure across Qualcomm's mobile and wearable product lines. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting local privileges to gain system-level access, and T1190 which covers exploitation of vulnerabilities in network services.
Mitigation strategies should focus on applying the relevant Android security patches released in April 2018 or later, which include proper mutex protection for the ipsec_sa_list[] global variable access. Organizations should also implement monitoring for unusual IPSec API usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around simultaneous addSA and updateSA operations targeting the same Security Association. Hardware-level mitigations include ensuring that all Snapdragon chipsets are updated to versions that properly synchronize access to the IPSec subsystem global variables. Network administrators should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential exploitation vectors, while security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to IPSec processing anomalies. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper synchronization in kernel-level network security implementations and serves as a reminder of the risks associated with concurrent access to shared global data structures in mobile security subsystems.