CVE-2016-10466
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability affects Android devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets where SSL/TLS handshakes use hard-coded random values when the cryptographic random number generator fails. This allows attackers to potentially decrypt SSL/TLS traffic or perform man-in-the-middle attacks. Affected devices include many Android smartphones and wearables with specific Qualcomm chips.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon chips: 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, SDX20
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete decryption of SSL/TLS encrypted communications, credential theft, man-in-the-middle attacks, and data interception for affected devices.
Likely Case
Targeted attacks against specific vulnerable devices to intercept sensitive communications, particularly in environments with network access.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if devices are patched, use alternative secure communication channels, or are isolated from untrusted networks.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires network access to intercept SSL/TLS traffic and trigger the RNG failure condition.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Android security patch level April 5, 2018 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2018-04-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check device security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android security patch level. 2. If before April 2018, install latest Android security updates. 3. For devices no longer receiving updates, consider replacement or isolation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network isolation
allIsolate vulnerable devices from untrusted networks and limit network exposure
Use VPN for all traffic
allForce all device traffic through a secure VPN tunnel
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate vulnerable devices on separate network segments with strict access controls
- Implement network monitoring for SSL/TLS anomalies and potential interception attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android security patch level: Settings > About phone > Android security patch level. If date is before April 2018, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify security patch level shows April 2018 or later, and test SSL/TLS connections for proper random number generation.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- SSL/TLS handshake failures, cryptographic errors in system logs, unusual network traffic patterns
Network Indicators:
- Repeated SSL/TLS renegotiations, man-in-the-middle attack signatures, abnormal certificate validation
SIEM Query:
Search for SSL/TLS handshake errors or cryptographic failures in device logs, monitor for network traffic interception patterns