CVE-2016-10482 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9625, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, and SDX20, while processing downlink information, an assert can be reached.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile and wear processors across multiple generations including MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9625, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, and SDX20. The issue manifests during the processing of downlink information within the Android operating system, specifically when handling network traffic from base stations or other network entities. This vulnerability falls under CWE-20, which represents improper input validation, and represents a critical flaw in the mobile platform's network processing stack that could be exploited by attackers positioned within the network or those with access to malicious network traffic.
The technical flaw occurs when the system encounters malformed or unexpected downlink data packets, causing an assertion failure that results in system instability or potential denial of service. The assertion mechanism is designed to catch programming errors and invalid states during runtime, but in this case, the assertion is being triggered by legitimate network traffic patterns rather than actual programming errors. This represents a classic example of a robustness issue where the system fails to properly handle edge cases in network processing, leading to system crashes or unpredictable behavior. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the foundational network processing capabilities of these mobile platforms, making it a prime target for exploitation in man-in-the-middle attacks or network-based malicious activities.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability can lead to significant disruption in mobile device functionality, potentially causing complete system crashes or denial of service conditions that prevent normal communication. The affected processors span multiple generations and are widely deployed across various Android smartphone and wearable devices, meaning that a large population of devices could be at risk. The vulnerability allows attackers to potentially cause persistent system instability, which could be exploited for persistent denial of service attacks against mobile users. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004 for network denial of service and could potentially be leveraged for T1059.001 command and control communications if exploited in a broader attack chain.
The security implications extend beyond simple denial of service as this vulnerability could potentially be chained with other exploits to achieve more sophisticated attacks. The assertion failure may provide opportunities for privilege escalation or information disclosure if the system does not properly handle the error conditions. System administrators and device manufacturers must ensure that all affected devices receive the appropriate security patches as soon as possible, as the vulnerability exists in the baseband processor firmware that controls low-level network communications. The patching process for these vulnerabilities requires coordination between chipset manufacturers, operating system vendors, and device manufacturers, making timely remediation critical for maintaining device security and user safety. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust error handling in embedded systems and the potential for network-based attacks to compromise mobile device stability and functionality.