CVE-2016-10462 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 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SDM630, SDM636, SDM660, and Snapdragon_High_Med_2016, the Access Control policy for HLOS allows access to Slimbus, GPU, GIC resources.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
This vulnerability exists within the Android operating system's security framework on various Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, specifically affecting devices released before the 2018-04-05 security patch level. The flaw resides in the Host Local Operating System (HLOS) access control policies that govern resource allocation and protection mechanisms. The vulnerability permits unauthorized access to critical hardware components including Slimbus interfaces, GPU processing units, and Generic Interrupt Controller (GIC) resources through improper access control implementations. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the security model that should normally isolate and protect these sensitive system components from unauthorized system-level access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access control policies within the HLOS security framework. These policies fail to properly enforce mandatory access controls that should prevent unauthorized processes from accessing hardware resources. The affected Snapdragon chipsets span multiple generations including the SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SDM630, SDM636, SDM660, and Snapdragon_High_Med_2016 series. These processors are commonly found in automotive and mobile devices, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for both consumer and industrial applications. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to potentially escalate privileges and gain access to sensitive hardware resources that should remain protected within the system's security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to exploit hardware-level resources that are typically protected by the system's security architecture. Access to Slimbus interfaces could allow manipulation of audio and multimedia data streams, while unauthorized access to GPU resources could enable sophisticated exploitation techniques including memory corruption attacks and privilege escalation. The GIC resource access presents the most severe risk as it controls interrupt handling within the system, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt critical system operations or gain complete system control. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control issues and represents a classic example of insufficient privilege checks in security-critical system components. The attack surface extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential system compromise through manipulation of core hardware interrupt handling mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies should focus on applying the vendor-provided security patches released on or after 2018-04-05, which address the access control policy implementation flaws. Organizations should also implement runtime monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to hardware resources, particularly focusing on Slimbus, GPU, and GIC access patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation in embedded systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through system-level access control bypasses. Device manufacturers should consider implementing additional hardware-level protections such as memory protection units and enhanced interrupt controller isolation to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future implementations. Regular security assessments of access control policies and continuous monitoring of system resource access patterns remain essential defensive measures against such hardware-level exploitation techniques.