CVE-2016-10501
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows remote code execution through improper input validation while parsing images on affected Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. Attackers can exploit this by sending specially crafted images to trigger memory corruption. It affects Android devices using specific Qualcomm Snapdragon processors before the April 2018 security patch.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wear, 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, SD 835
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete device compromise allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with system privileges, potentially leading to data theft, device takeover, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Remote code execution leading to malware installation, data exfiltration, or device compromise when processing malicious images from untrusted sources.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation and image source validation, though still vulnerable to targeted attacks.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires crafting malicious images but no authentication needed. Complexity depends on image parsing implementation details.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Android security patch level 2018-04-05 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, apply latest Android security updates from device manufacturer. 3. For enterprise devices, push updates via MDM. 4. Reboot device after update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Image Source Restriction
allBlock untrusted image sources and implement content filtering
Network Segmentation
allIsolate vulnerable devices from untrusted networks
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Replace affected devices with updated hardware
- Implement strict network controls and monitor for exploitation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android security patch level in 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. Test image parsing functionality remains operational.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Image parsing crashes in system logs
- Unexpected process terminations related to media services
- Memory corruption warnings in kernel logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections after image processing
- Suspicious image downloads from untrusted sources
SIEM Query:
source="android_logs" AND ("image parsing" OR "media server" OR "SurfaceFlinger") AND ("crash" OR "segfault" OR "memory corruption")