CVE-2016-10501 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wear, and Small Cell SoC FSM9055, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9635M, 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, and SD 835, improper input validation can occur while parsing an image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile SoCs and related chipsets affecting Android devices released before the 2018-04-05 security patch level. The flaw represents a critical input validation weakness that occurs during image parsing operations, creating potential exploitation vectors for remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets including the FSM9055, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9635M, MDM9655, MSM8909W, and numerous SD series processors spanning from entry-level to high-end mobile platforms. The improper input validation stems from inadequate sanitization of image data structures during the parsing phase, allowing maliciously crafted image files to trigger buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-20, which specifically addresses improper input validation issues in software systems. When an Android device processes an image file through vulnerable Snapdragon chipsets, the parsing routine fails to properly validate the image headers, dimensions, or data structures, creating opportunities for attackers to craft specially formatted image files that can execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected system. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the hardware-software interface level, where the Snapdragon SoC's image processing capabilities interact with Android's image handling frameworks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to mobile device users as it can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious email attachments, compromised websites, or infected media files downloaded from untrusted sources. The exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation or code execution. Attackers could leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to device functionality, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation. The widespread adoption of affected Snapdragon chipsets across multiple Android device manufacturers means that a substantial portion of the mobile device ecosystem remains vulnerable to this class of attack.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on prompt security patch deployment, which Qualcomm addressed through their regular security updates. Device users should ensure their Android systems receive the 2018-04-05 security patch or later versions that contain fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement network-based security controls including content filtering and sandboxing of image file processing to limit exposure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of hardware-level security considerations in mobile platforms, as the flaw originates in the Snapdragon SoC's image processing units rather than the Android operating system itself. Security teams should also consider implementing device monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous image processing behavior indicative of exploitation attempts, while maintaining awareness of the broader implications for mobile device security and the need for coordinated patch management across hardware and software components.