CVE-2015-0575 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, insecure ciphersuites were included in the default configuration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0575 represents a critical cryptographic weakness embedded within Qualcomm's Android implementations that affects numerous mobile devices and embedded systems. This flaw manifests in the default configuration of the Linux kernel used in Qualcomm Android devices, where insecure ciphersuites are improperly enabled, creating a significant security risk for users and organizations relying on these platforms. The vulnerability specifically impacts all Qualcomm products utilizing Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum (CAF) that incorporate the Linux kernel, making it widespread across various mobile device manufacturers who depend on Qualcomm's chipsets and associated software stacks.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper configuration of cryptographic protocols within the Linux kernel implementation used by Qualcomm's Android devices. When ciphersuites are configured insecurely, they expose the system to various cryptographic attacks including but not limited to weak encryption key exchanges, vulnerable cipher algorithms, and insufficient authentication mechanisms. This misconfiguration allows attackers to potentially intercept and decrypt sensitive communications, perform man-in-the-middle attacks, or compromise the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted through these vulnerable devices. The vulnerability falls under the category of cryptographic weakness as defined by CWE-327, specifically addressing the use of weak or broken cryptographic algorithms in the default system configuration.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0575 extends far beyond individual device security, affecting enterprise networks, mobile applications, and IoT ecosystems that rely on Qualcomm-based hardware. Mobile devices running affected software configurations become vulnerable to various attack vectors including eavesdropping on communications, data theft, and potential system compromise. Organizations deploying these devices for business-critical applications face significant risks as the vulnerability can be exploited by threat actors to gain unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, user credentials, or proprietary information. The widespread adoption of Qualcomm chipsets across smartphone manufacturers, tablets, and embedded systems amplifies the potential impact, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where mobile devices serve as primary access points to corporate networks and resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0575 require comprehensive system hardening and configuration updates to address the insecure ciphersuite defaults. Organizations should prioritize updating their Qualcomm-based devices to the latest firmware releases that correct the cryptographic configuration issues, ensuring that only secure ciphersuites are enabled by default. Security administrators must also implement network monitoring solutions to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts, while also reviewing and strengthening overall cryptographic policies to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other system components. The remediation process should include verification of cryptographic configurations through security scanning tools and adherence to industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management and algorithm selection. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and additional security controls to reduce the attack surface and limit potential damage from exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper cryptographic configuration management and the need for continuous security assessment of embedded systems and mobile platforms that rely on third-party software components.