CVE-2015-9012 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in Qualcomm closed source components. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-36384691.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9012 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Qualcomm's closed source components that affects Android kernel versions. This weakness resides in the proprietary Qualcomm software stack that integrates deeply with Android's kernel architecture, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user contexts to system-level access. The vulnerability specifically targets the kernel's handling of certain privileged operations and memory management functions that are controlled by Qualcomm's proprietary drivers and system modules. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and improper access control mechanisms within the kernel's interaction with Qualcomm's closed source components, which are essential for hardware abstraction and device functionality on Android devices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of kernel-level system calls and memory regions that are typically protected from user-space access. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, effectively bypassing Android's security model and gaining complete control over the device's operating system. The vulnerability manifests when the kernel fails to properly validate parameters passed to Qualcomm's proprietary drivers, allowing malicious code to manipulate kernel data structures and gain unauthorized access to system resources. This flaw particularly affects the memory management unit and interrupt handling mechanisms that are critical for maintaining system integrity and security boundaries between different privilege levels.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9012 extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect entire Android ecosystems that rely on Qualcomm's hardware components. Devices running affected Android kernel versions become vulnerable to persistent rootkits and advanced persistent threats that can remain undetected while maintaining system-level access. The vulnerability enables attackers to modify system files, install malicious applications, access encrypted data, and potentially exfiltrate sensitive information from the device. This type of privilege escalation vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited by malware that is delivered through various attack vectors including phishing, malicious applications, or compromised websites. The closed source nature of Qualcomm's components makes it difficult for security researchers to fully understand the scope and potential variants of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9012 require a multi-layered approach that includes both immediate patching and operational security measures. Organizations should prioritize updating affected Android devices with the latest kernel patches provided by Qualcomm and device manufacturers, as these patches typically address the specific validation and access control issues within the proprietary components. System administrators should implement additional security controls such as kernel module signing, integrity checks, and monitoring for suspicious kernel activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which describes improper access control in software systems, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers exploit for privilege escalation. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms and enhanced memory protection features that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts against similar kernel-level vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any potential variants or related weaknesses in the Qualcomm closed source components that could be exploited in similar manners.