CVE-2016-10498 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile MDM9635M, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 810, SDM630, SDM636, SDM660, and Snapdragon_High_Med_2016, stopping of the DTR prematurely causes micro kernel to be stuck. This can be triggered with a timing change injectable in RACH procedure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile chipsets affecting Android devices before the 2018-04-05 security patch level. The issue resides in the microkernel component where premature termination of the Data Terminal Ready (DTR) signal causes the kernel to become unresponsive. This represents a critical timing-dependent flaw that can be exploited through manipulation of the Random Access Channel (RACH) procedure. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Snapdragon processors including MDM9635M, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 810, SDM630, SDM636, and SDM660 processors. The flaw operates at the hardware-software interface level where timing variations in the RACH procedure can inject malicious timing changes that trigger the microkernel hang condition.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the interaction between the cellular modem's microkernel and the DTR signal management within the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset architecture. When the DTR signal is terminated prematurely during communication protocols, it creates a race condition that causes the microkernel to enter an unrecoverable state. This timing-sensitive behavior stems from insufficient error handling mechanisms in the kernel's response to asynchronous signal termination events. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely through cellular network manipulation, allowing attackers to cause denial of service conditions on affected devices. The RACH procedure timing injection technique exploits the predictable nature of cellular communication protocols to create the precise timing variations needed to activate the kernel hang condition.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. Since the microkernel controls critical system functions including cellular communication, power management, and security operations, a stuck kernel can render devices completely unresponsive to cellular signals. This affects device availability and can compromise security features that depend on proper kernel operation. The vulnerability's remote exploitability through cellular network manipulation makes it particularly concerning for mobile device security, as it can affect users without requiring physical access or specialized equipment. The widespread adoption of affected Snapdragon chipsets across various Android device manufacturers means that a large number of mobile devices could be vulnerable to this condition, creating a significant attack surface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the relevant security patches released by Qualcomm and device manufacturers. Users should ensure their devices receive the 2018-04-05 security update or later patches that address the microkernel timing handling issues. Device manufacturers should implement proper signal handling routines that prevent premature DTR termination from causing kernel hangs, and should validate timing conditions in the RACH procedure to prevent injection attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-362 (Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization) and CWE-367 (Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use) categories, representing race condition and timing attack vectors. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004 (Endpoint Denial of Service) and potentially T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) if exploitation involves command injection through cellular protocols. Network operators should monitor for unusual cellular traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while device security teams should implement kernel-level monitoring for abnormal microkernel behavior to detect potential exploitation attempts.