CVE-2015-9010 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in Qualcomm closed source components. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-36393101.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9010 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Qualcomm's closed source components that specifically affects the Android kernel implementation. This vulnerability resides in the proprietary Qualcomm hardware abstraction layer components that interface with the Android operating system kernel, creating a potential pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user contexts to system-level access. The issue stems from improper validation of kernel-level operations within Qualcomm's proprietary drivers and system components that are integral to Android devices running affected kernel versions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it leverages the trust relationship between the Android kernel and Qualcomm's closed source components, exploiting a design flaw that allows unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges.
The technical flaw manifests through a privilege escalation mechanism that occurs when the Android kernel processes certain system calls or device driver interactions with Qualcomm's proprietary components. Specifically, the vulnerability involves insufficient input validation and improper access control checks within kernel-space code that handles communication between the Android framework and Qualcomm's hardware abstraction layer. This weakness enables an attacker with local user privileges to manipulate kernel data structures or function call parameters in ways that bypass normal security boundaries. The vulnerability can be triggered through crafted system calls or by exploiting race conditions in the interaction between Android's framework services and Qualcomm's closed source kernel modules. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-276: Incorrect Permission Assignment, as it involves improper privilege management within kernel components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation techniques, specifically T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to gain elevated system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9010 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it fundamentally undermines the security model of Android devices that rely on Qualcomm's hardware platform. Devices running affected kernel versions become susceptible to persistent malware installation, data exfiltration, and complete system compromise without requiring physical access or complex attack vectors. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Android smartphones and tablets that utilize Qualcomm processors, creating a widespread security risk across multiple device manufacturers who depend on Qualcomm's proprietary kernel components. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to install rootkits, modify system files, access encrypted data, and maintain persistence on compromised devices. The closed source nature of Qualcomm's components makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as security researchers cannot independently audit the code to identify additional related flaws or assess the full scope of potential exploitation paths. Organizations and users face significant risk of data breaches, device hijacking, and loss of privacy when devices are running affected kernel versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9010 require immediate action from device manufacturers and end users to address the vulnerability through firmware and kernel updates. Qualcomm released patches to address this vulnerability in their closed source components, but deployment of these updates depends on device manufacturers implementing and distributing the patches through their update mechanisms. System administrators should prioritize updating affected devices to the latest kernel versions that include the patched Qualcomm components, particularly for enterprise devices that handle sensitive information. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date device firmware and kernel components, as well as implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel module integrity checking and runtime application protection to mitigate potential exploitation. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify devices running affected kernel versions and establish processes for rapid patch deployment. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical security implications of relying on closed source components and the necessity of maintaining robust security practices throughout the device lifecycle.