CVE-2016-10477 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, while processing smart card requests, a buffer overflow can occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile chipsets affecting Android devices released before the 2018-04-05 security patch level. The flaw manifests during smart card request processing within the mobile platform's secure environment, specifically in the handling of data structures that manage communication between the application processor and the secure element. The buffer overflow condition occurs when the system fails to properly validate input lengths or boundaries when processing smart card commands, allowing maliciously crafted data to overwrite adjacent memory regions. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates within the trusted execution environment where smart card operations are typically expected to be secure and isolated from normal application processes. The affected chipsets span multiple generations of Qualcomm's Snapdragon mobile platforms including SD 210/212/205, SD 400/430, SD 615/16/415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800/808/810/820, indicating a widespread impact across various device categories from entry-level to high-end smartphones.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms within the smart card processing subsystem. When a smart card request is received, the system allocates a fixed-size buffer to accommodate expected data, but fails to verify that incoming data does not exceed allocated boundaries. This allows attackers to craft malicious smart card commands with oversized payloads that overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures. The vulnerability can be exploited through legitimate smart card operations, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no special privileges or root access to trigger the overflow condition. The memory corruption can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution within the secure environment where smart card operations are processed, effectively bypassing normal Android security boundaries. This issue maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of insufficient boundary checking in memory management operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation or data corruption, as it fundamentally compromises the security of smart card operations that are critical for mobile payment systems, digital identity authentication, and secure communications. Mobile devices utilizing affected Snapdragon chipsets may become vulnerable to attacks that could compromise payment credentials, personal identification information, or secure communication channels that rely on smart card technology. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data stored on smart cards, execute malicious code within the secure execution environment, or even establish persistent backdoors on affected devices. The exploitation requires only the ability to send crafted smart card requests, which can be achieved through various attack vectors including malicious applications, compromised NFC communications, or specially crafted smart card readers that can send malformed commands to the vulnerable device. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity of mobile security infrastructure and undermines trust in mobile payment systems and digital authentication mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application of the relevant Android security patches released in the 2018-04-05 update cycle, which contain fixed implementations of the smart card processing routines with proper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms. Device manufacturers must ensure comprehensive testing of smart card functionality after patch deployment to verify that the buffer overflow protection mechanisms are properly implemented. Organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify devices running affected Snapdragon chipsets and prioritize patch deployment for critical systems that rely on smart card operations. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious smart card communication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while mobile device management solutions should enforce automatic security patch installation policies. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials or system access to execute malicious code, and requires defensive measures that focus on preventing unauthorized code execution within secure processing environments. Security teams should implement continuous monitoring of smart card transaction logs and establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle potential exploitation of this class of buffer overflow vulnerabilities in mobile platforms.