CVE-2015-6623 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Wi-Fi in Android 6.0 before 2015-12-01 allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, as demonstrated by obtaining Signature or SignatureOrSystem access, aka internal bug 24872703.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-6623 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Android Wi-Fi subsystem that affected versions prior to the 2015-12-01 security patch. This vulnerability specifically targeted the Android 6.0 operating system and exploited a weakness in how the Wi-Fi framework handled certain application permissions and access controls. The flaw allowed malicious actors to craft specially designed applications that could bypass normal security boundaries and elevate their privileges to gain Signature or SignatureOrSystem level access within the Android operating system. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation attacks that leverage system-level weaknesses to achieve unauthorized elevated permissions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stemmed from insufficient validation and access control mechanisms within the Wi-Fi subsystem's interaction with application permissions. Attackers could exploit this weakness by developing applications that manipulated the Wi-Fi framework's behavior to obtain elevated privileges that should normally be restricted to system-level applications or those with specific signature-level permissions. The vulnerability was particularly concerning because it enabled attackers to gain access that would typically require system-level signatures or special system-level permissions, effectively allowing malicious applications to operate with the same privileges as core system components. This flaw was classified as an internal bug with identifier 24872703, indicating it was a significant issue that required system-level intervention to resolve properly.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6623 was substantial as it provided attackers with a pathway to achieve deep system-level access through seemingly benign applications. Once exploited, the vulnerability allowed malicious actors to install or modify system applications, access sensitive user data, and potentially compromise the entire device security posture. The attack vector was particularly dangerous because it could be executed through standard application installation processes, making it difficult for users to detect or prevent. This vulnerability was categorized under CWE-269, which addresses "Improper Privilege Management," and aligned with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and persistence within mobile environments. The impact extended beyond individual device compromise to potentially enable large-scale attacks against Android devices that were not properly updated.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6623 centered around immediate system updates and patch management procedures that addressed the underlying Wi-Fi framework vulnerabilities. Organizations and users needed to ensure their Android devices were updated to versions released after the 2015-12-01 security patch, which corrected the privilege escalation mechanisms within the Wi-Fi subsystem. System administrators should have implemented robust mobile device management policies that enforced automatic security updates and monitored for devices running vulnerable versions of the Android operating system. Additionally, security teams needed to conduct vulnerability assessments to identify any devices that might have been compromised before the patch was applied, as the vulnerability could have enabled persistent access to sensitive information and system resources. The remediation process required careful consideration of the update rollout to avoid disrupting critical business operations while ensuring comprehensive security coverage across all Android devices within the organization's infrastructure.