CVE-2015-1529 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in soundtrigger/ISoundTriggerHwService.cpp in Android allows attacks to cause a denial of service via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1529 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the Android soundtrigger subsystem, specifically within the ISoundTriggerHwService.cpp implementation. This vulnerability resides in the Android operating system's audio hardware abstraction layer, where the soundtrigger service manages audio recognition and trigger events for voice activation and keyword detection features. The integer overflow occurs when processing certain audio data structures that are passed to the soundtrigger hardware service, creating a condition where arithmetic operations exceed the maximum representable value for integer data types.
The technical flaw manifests when the soundtrigger service processes malformed or specially crafted audio parameters that cause integer variables to wrap around or exceed their allocated bit width. This overflow condition can occur during buffer size calculations, audio frame counting, or parameter validation processes within the hardware service interface. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level within the Android framework, where it can be triggered through legitimate audio service interactions without requiring elevated privileges or user interaction. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple attack paths exist, potentially including malicious audio files, crafted system calls, or manipulated audio input streams that could cause the integer overflow to occur.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to execute remote denial of service attacks against Android devices by causing the soundtrigger service to crash or become unresponsive. The attack can be particularly effective because soundtrigger functionality is often utilized in background processes for voice activation features, smart home devices, and automotive systems where continuous audio monitoring occurs. When the service crashes, it can disrupt audio recognition capabilities, prevent voice-activated commands from functioning, and potentially cause system instability that affects other audio-related services. The vulnerability can be exploited from remote locations without requiring physical access to the device, making it a significant concern for mobile device security and enterprise environments where audio recognition features are widely deployed.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and relates to the broader category of buffer overflow and integer arithmetic errors that frequently appear in system-level code. The attack vector for CVE-2015-1529 can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers may leverage the service disruption to mask other malicious activities or create persistent denial of service conditions. Mitigation strategies should include applying the relevant Android security patches released by Google, implementing proper input validation for audio parameters, and monitoring system logs for unusual service behavior. Organizations should also consider network-level protections to prevent exploitation through remote audio input streams and ensure that audio recognition features are properly configured with appropriate access controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust integer validation in system-level services and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of hardware abstraction layers that interface with critical system functions.