CVE-2016-10478 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile SD 617, incorrect size calculation in QCRIL SCWS processing have Integer overflow which will lead to a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10478 represents a critical integer overflow issue affecting Android devices equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon SD 617 processors. This flaw resides within the QCRIL SCWS (Qualcomm Radio Interface Layer Service Communication Workload Scheduling) component, which manages communication between the baseband processor and the Android framework. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes certain telecommunications commands that involve size calculations for buffer allocation, creating a scenario where integer arithmetic operations exceed their maximum representable values.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of input parameters during QCRIL SCWS processing operations. When maliciously crafted telecommunications data is received, the system performs arithmetic operations to calculate buffer sizes needed for processing the incoming data. Due to insufficient bounds checking and integer overflow protection mechanisms, these calculations can produce values that exceed the maximum limits of the integer data types used for size calculations. This overflow results in a situation where the calculated buffer size becomes significantly smaller than the actual data payload, leading to a classic buffer overflow condition where subsequent memory writes can overwrite adjacent memory regions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates potential pathways for privilege escalation and remote code execution. Attackers who can influence the telecommunications data flow to affected devices may exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects devices running Android versions prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch level, making it particularly concerning for older devices that may not receive security updates. The Qualcomm Snapdragon SD 617 processor architecture, while widely deployed in mid-range smartphones and tablets, becomes a vector for exploitation due to this flaw in the QCRIL implementation.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which specifically addresses issues where integer arithmetic produces results that exceed the maximum value that can be represented by the data type. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through software exploitation, specifically targeting the system's telecommunications subsystem. The flaw demonstrates how mobile platform vendors must implement robust input validation and integer overflow protection in critical communication components. The QCRIL component's role in handling telecommunications data makes this particularly dangerous, as it operates at a low level within the device's communication stack, potentially allowing attackers to intercept, modify, or inject malicious data into the cellular communication pipeline. Organizations should prioritize patching affected devices and implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability in their mobile device management programs.