CVE-2016-10490 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, 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 820A, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, and SDX20, if a negative value is passed as argument "max" to qurt_qdi_state_local_new_handle_from_obj, an buffer overflow occurs, due to typecasting the signed integer to unsigned.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platforms running Android versions prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch level. The flaw resides in the qurt_qdi_state_local_new_handle_from_obj function where improper handling of a signed integer argument leads to a critical buffer overflow condition. The vulnerability specifically manifests when a negative value is passed as the "max" parameter, which then gets typecast to an unsigned integer, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a fundamental type conversion error within the Qualcomm QURT (Qualcomm Real-Time) subsystem. When the function receives a negative signed integer value for the max parameter, the subsequent typecasting to unsigned integer results in an extremely large value that exceeds the bounds of the allocated buffer. This buffer overflow represents a classic example of a CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets including MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9625, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8909W, and numerous SD series processors spanning from entry-level to flagship devices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes or instability. Attackers can potentially exploit this condition to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively compromising the entire automotive infotainment or mobile device platform. This represents a significant concern for automotive cybersecurity given that these vulnerable chipsets are commonly found in vehicle entertainment systems, telematics units, and connected car platforms. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to vehicle systems, data exfiltration, or even remote code execution that might enable attackers to manipulate vehicle functions. From an attack surface perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it particularly dangerous in automotive environments where system integrity is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate deployment of the Android security patch released on April 5, 2018, which addresses the specific typecasting issue in the qurt_qdi_state_local_new_handle_from_obj function. Organizations should also implement runtime monitoring to detect anomalous parameter values being passed to system functions, particularly those involving buffer operations. Additionally, system architects should consider implementing input validation checks at multiple layers to prevent negative values from reaching vulnerable functions. The patch addresses the core issue by ensuring proper bounds checking and preventing the typecasting of negative signed integers to unsigned values that would otherwise result in buffer overflow conditions. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of automotive systems to identify other potential similar patterns in code that might be susceptible to the same class of buffer overflow issues.