CVE-2016-10452 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Automobile and Snapdragon Mobile SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, and SD 835, memory protection assertion happens after invoking TA termination out of order.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platforms affecting Android versions prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch level. The flaw manifests in the Trusted Application (TA) termination sequence where memory protection assertions occur after the termination process has already begun, creating a temporal window where system resources may remain accessible or improperly managed. This represents a critical timing issue that violates fundamental security principles of resource management and memory protection mechanisms within the Trusted Execution Environment. The vulnerability specifically impacts a wide range of Snapdragon chipsets including the SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, and SD 835 processors. The improper ordering of memory protection assertion and TA termination creates potential for privilege escalation and unauthorized access to protected system resources. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-1246 which addresses improper handling of timing dependencies in security-critical operations. From an operational perspective, this flaw could enable attackers to exploit the temporal gap between TA termination and memory protection enforcement to access sensitive data or execute malicious code within the secure environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning for automotive applications where security is paramount and system integrity directly impacts vehicle safety. This vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and T1547.001 which addresses 'Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder'. The improper sequence in memory management creates opportunities for adversaries to manipulate system state during the transition period between TA termination and protection enforcement, potentially allowing for persistent access to system resources. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the Trusted Application lifecycle management where the security boundary is not properly maintained during the termination phase. This creates a window of opportunity for attackers to exploit the system's memory management sequence, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Organizations should prioritize patching affected devices to address this vulnerability, as it represents a significant risk to system integrity and data protection in both automotive and mobile environments. The remediation requires updating to the appropriate security patch level that corrects the order of operations in the TA termination process, ensuring that memory protection assertions occur before termination begins. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper temporal ordering in security-critical operations and demonstrates how seemingly minor timing issues can result in major security implications within embedded systems and mobile platforms.