CVE-2015-0569 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the private wireless extensions IOCTL implementation in wlan_hdd_wext.c in the WLAN (aka Wi-Fi) driver for the Linux kernel 3.x and 4.x, as used in Qualcomm Innovation Center (QuIC) Android contributions for MSM devices and other products, allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application that establishes a packet filter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-0569 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the wireless extensions ioctl implementation of the Linux kernel's WLAN driver. This flaw exists specifically in the wlan_hdd_wext.c file, which forms part of the Qualcomm Innovation Center's contributions to Android operating systems for MSM devices. The vulnerability affects kernel versions 3.x and 4.x, making it particularly concerning as these represent widely deployed kernel versions across various mobile and embedded platforms. The issue stems from improper bounds checking during the processing of wireless extension ioctls, creating a condition where malicious input can overwrite adjacent memory locations in the heap allocation space.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a crafted application that establishes a packet filter, leveraging the wireless extensions interface to trigger the buffer overflow condition. When the kernel processes the malicious ioctl command, it fails to properly validate the size of input data before copying it into a fixed-size heap buffer. This allows an attacker-controlled payload to overwrite adjacent heap memory, potentially corrupting critical data structures or executing arbitrary code. The heap-based nature of the overflow means that the attacker can manipulate heap metadata, leading to potential privilege escalation or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability specifically targets the wireless driver's ioctl handling mechanism, which is a common attack surface due to its privileged execution context and the need for direct hardware interaction.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0569 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a pathway to gain elevated privileges on affected devices. This is particularly dangerous in mobile environments where the kernel runs with high privileges and has direct access to hardware components. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute code with kernel-level privileges, potentially allowing them to modify system files, install malicious software, or access sensitive user data. The attack vector requires local execution capability through a crafted application, but once exploited, the consequences can be severe as the attacker gains complete control over the device's wireless functionality and underlying system resources. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in kernel space code and highlights the risks associated with wireless driver implementations that handle untrusted user input.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0569 should focus on both immediate patching and defensive programming practices. The primary solution involves applying kernel updates that contain proper bounds checking and input validation in the wlan_hdd_wext.c file, specifically addressing the buffer overflow condition in the wireless extensions ioctl implementation. Organizations should prioritize updating their kernel versions to patched releases, particularly those from kernel version 4.1 and later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and heap metadata validation can provide defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and maps to attack techniques in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and kernel exploitation categories. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting and monitoring for suspicious wireless extension ioctl usage patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.