CVE-2015-8595 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a buffer over-read vulnerability exists in digital television/digital radio DRM.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8595 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within the digital rights management subsystem of Qualcomm's Android-based devices. This issue specifically affects all Qualcomm products that utilize the Linux kernel and incorporate Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum, creating a widespread impact across numerous mobile devices and embedded systems. The vulnerability resides within the digital television and digital radio DRM components, which are essential for handling multimedia content protection and playback functionalities in modern smartphones and tablets.
The technical nature of this buffer over-read vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the DRM processing code that handles digital television and radio content streams. When the system processes malformed or specially crafted digital media content, the DRM subsystem fails to properly bounds-check memory allocations, leading to read operations that extend beyond allocated buffer boundaries. This flaw allows malicious actors to potentially access adjacent memory regions containing sensitive data or system information, creating opportunities for information disclosure and potential privilege escalation. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an "Out-of-bounds Read" which directly relates to improper memory access controls and insufficient input validation mechanisms within the kernel-level DRM processing components.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8595 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to extract sensitive system information that may reveal kernel memory layouts, device-specific configurations, or other confidential data. This information can subsequently be leveraged in more sophisticated attacks, including those targeting the broader system architecture or facilitating privilege escalation exploits. The vulnerability affects devices running Android versions that incorporate Qualcomm's proprietary kernel modifications, making it particularly concerning for mobile devices where users expect robust security protections. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to gain insights into the device's internal workings, which could then be used to craft more targeted attacks against other system components or to bypass security mechanisms in the digital rights management framework.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8595 should focus on immediate firmware and kernel updates provided by device manufacturers, as Qualcomm would have issued patches addressing the buffer over-read conditions in their DRM subsystem. Organizations and users should prioritize applying security updates from their device vendors, particularly those that specifically address Qualcomm kernel vulnerabilities. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, while also considering the deployment of mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and ensure timely patch deployment. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and memory safety mechanisms within kernel-level components, particularly those handling multimedia content processing, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1552 which addresses "Unsecured Credentials" through proper memory access controls. Additionally, security researchers should continue monitoring for similar vulnerabilities in digital rights management systems, as these components often represent attack surfaces with high potential for system compromise.