CVE-2015-9009 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in Qualcomm closed source components. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-36393600.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9009 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Qualcomm's closed source components that affect the Android kernel. This issue resides in the proprietary Qualcomm driver code that interfaces with the Android operating system's kernel, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system level access. The vulnerability specifically impacts devices running Android versions that incorporate Qualcomm's closed source kernel modules, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of Qualcomm chipsets in mobile devices worldwide. The flaw stems from improper input validation and insufficient access controls within the kernel-level components that manage hardware interactions, allowing unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues in software systems. The flaw manifests when the Android kernel fails to properly validate parameters passed to Qualcomm's proprietary driver functions, enabling attackers to manipulate kernel operations through crafted inputs. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of kernel-level privilege escalation, where an attacker can exploit weaknesses in the operating system's core components to gain unauthorized administrative access. The vulnerability affects the Android ID A-36393600, indicating it was tracked within Google's internal vulnerability management system as a significant security concern requiring immediate attention from device manufacturers and security researchers.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9009 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code with full system privileges, potentially enabling complete device compromise. This vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious applications installed on the device, or through more sophisticated attacks that leverage other vulnerabilities to first gain access to the device before utilizing this privilege escalation flaw. The closed source nature of Qualcomm's components makes this vulnerability particularly challenging to address, as security researchers cannot directly inspect the source code to understand the precise mechanism of exploitation or develop targeted patches. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Android devices that utilize Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, creating a substantial attack surface across multiple device manufacturers and models.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require coordinated efforts between Qualcomm, Google, and device manufacturers to develop and deploy security patches that address the root cause in the proprietary kernel components. Organizations should prioritize updating affected devices to the latest security patches provided by their device manufacturers, as these patches typically include modifications to the Qualcomm closed source drivers to properly validate inputs and enforce appropriate access controls. The remediation process involves implementing proper input validation mechanisms within the kernel drivers, strengthening access control checks, and ensuring that privilege escalation attempts are properly authenticated and authorized. Security teams should also implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain awareness of the vulnerability through regular security assessments. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in proprietary kernel components and demonstrates the risks associated with closed source software in security-critical systems, particularly when these components interact with operating system kernels. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting kernel-level access control mechanisms, making it a significant concern for mobile device security and enterprise mobility management programs.