CVE-2015-9008 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in Qualcomm closed source components. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-36384689.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9008 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Qualcomm's closed source kernel components that affects Android devices running the Android kernel. This vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the Qualcomm proprietary drivers and system components that interface with the Linux kernel. The issue manifests when the kernel fails to properly validate permissions during specific system calls or memory operations, allowing malicious applications or attackers with limited privileges to escalate their access level and gain root-level control over the device.
This vulnerability operates at the kernel level and specifically targets the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor family's closed source components that handle hardware abstraction and system resource management. The flaw enables an attacker to bypass normal security boundaries that should prevent user-mode applications from accessing kernel-level resources or executing privileged operations. According to the Android security advisory, the vulnerability affects Android versions where the kernel components are compiled with Qualcomm's proprietary modules, creating a potential attack surface that could be exploited through malicious applications or compromised system services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete control over the device's hardware and software environment. Once exploited, adversaries can modify system files, install persistent backdoors, access encrypted data, and potentially compromise the device's integrity and confidentiality. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction and can be achieved through standard application installation or by leveraging other attack vectors that ultimately lead to kernel-level code execution. This makes the flaw particularly dangerous as it can be exploited silently without user awareness, potentially affecting millions of Android devices that rely on Qualcomm's hardware platform.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability under CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation. The vulnerability demonstrates how closed source components in mobile platforms can introduce critical security gaps that are difficult to detect and patch. Organizations and device manufacturers should implement immediate mitigation strategies including kernel updates, security patches for Qualcomm components, and enhanced monitoring of kernel-level activities. Additionally, users should ensure their devices receive timely security updates from manufacturers and avoid installing untrusted applications that could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to system resources and sensitive information stored on the device.