CVE-2016-10469 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, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, 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, SD 835, SD 845, and SD 850, incorrect implementation of RSA padding functions in CORE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
This vulnerability resides in the cryptographic implementation of RSA padding functions within Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets that were affected by the security patch level prior to April 5, 2018. The flaw specifically impacts automotive, mobile, and wearable devices utilizing Snapdragon MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, 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, SD 835, SD 845, and SD 850 processors. The vulnerability manifests in the improper implementation of RSA padding mechanisms that are critical for secure cryptographic operations and digital signatures. This issue represents a direct violation of cryptographic best practices and security standards, as the flawed padding implementation creates potential attack vectors for adversaries seeking to compromise the integrity of encrypted communications and digital signatures.
The technical flaw stems from incorrect handling of RSA padding functions within the core cryptographic libraries of these Qualcomm chipsets. RSA padding is essential for preventing various cryptographic attacks including chosen ciphertext attacks, and the improper implementation suggests that the system may not be properly validating or applying padding schemes such as PKCS#1 v1.5 or OAEP. This weakness in the cryptographic implementation creates opportunities for attackers to exploit the padding mechanism, potentially allowing for signature forgery, decryption of sensitive data, or manipulation of encrypted communications. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of insecure cryptographic algorithms, and CWE-328, which covers the use of weak hash functions, both of which are relevant to improper padding implementations in cryptographic systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple device categories including automotive systems, mobile phones, and wearable devices that rely on these Qualcomm chipsets for secure communications and authentication. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to perform man-in-the-middle attacks, forge digital signatures, or decrypt communications that should remain protected. The automotive implications are particularly concerning as they could affect vehicle security systems, over-the-air updates, and secure communication protocols between vehicle components. This vulnerability also impacts the broader ecosystem of devices that depend on Qualcomm's cryptographic implementations for secure operations, potentially affecting everything from mobile payments to enterprise security solutions that rely on these chipsets.
Organizations and device manufacturers should prioritize updating affected devices to the latest security patches released by Qualcomm and Android. The remediation process involves implementing the security updates that correct the RSA padding implementation in the affected chipsets. System administrators should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all devices utilizing the vulnerable Snapdragon processors and ensure timely patch deployment. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain continuous vulnerability assessments to identify other potential weaknesses in their cryptographic implementations. The mitigation strategy should also include reviewing and strengthening overall cryptographic practices, ensuring proper key management procedures, and implementing additional security layers to protect against potential exploitation of this vulnerability. This approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552, which covers credential access through cryptographic key compromise, and addresses the fundamental need for secure cryptographic implementations in mobile and automotive environments.