CVE-2016-10475 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 430, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, and SD 820, lack input validation may lead to a integer overflow that could potentially lead to a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10475 represents a critical integer overflow flaw affecting Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile processors across multiple generations including SD 210/212/205, SD 400/430, SD 615/16/415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800/808/810/820. This vulnerability resides in the Android operating system's security framework and specifically impacts devices patched before April 5, 2018. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset's firmware or system components, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate integer values during processing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves integer overflow conditions that can cascade into buffer overflow scenarios within the mobile processor's memory management systems. When integer values exceed their maximum representable range, the system may incorrectly calculate buffer sizes or memory allocation parameters, leading to memory corruption. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and can be classified under the broader category of memory corruption vulnerabilities. The exploitation of such flaws typically follows ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local privileges or system vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or execute malicious code.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10475 extends beyond simple memory corruption as it affects the fundamental security architecture of mobile devices. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, bypass security controls, or gain root access to affected devices. The widespread deployment of affected Snapdragon chipsets across various Android device manufacturers means that millions of devices could be vulnerable, making this a significant concern for enterprise security and mobile device management. The vulnerability's presence in multiple chipset generations indicates a systemic issue within Qualcomm's firmware implementation that required coordinated patching across the entire Android ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security patching requirements and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of Android security patches released by device manufacturers, with particular attention to ensuring that all affected Snapdragon chipsets receive proper updates. System administrators should implement comprehensive vulnerability scanning procedures to identify devices running vulnerable firmware versions, and consider network segmentation to limit potential exploitation paths. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation mechanisms and proper integer handling in embedded systems, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 frameworks. Additionally, device manufacturers should enhance their firmware testing protocols to include comprehensive integer overflow and buffer overflow detection mechanisms during development cycles to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases.