CVE-2015-9015 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in Qualcomm closed source components. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-36714120.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9015 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Qualcomm's closed source kernel components that affect Android devices running the Android kernel. This vulnerability resides in the proprietary Qualcomm driver code that interfaces with the Android kernel, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system level access. The issue stems from improper input validation and insufficient access controls within the kernel modules that manage hardware-specific functionalities, particularly those related to Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipset implementations. The vulnerability affects devices where Qualcomm's proprietary kernel drivers are integrated into the Android kernel framework, making it prevalent across numerous Android smartphones and tablets utilizing Qualcomm processors.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of kernel-level interfaces that handle hardware abstraction layer communications. The flaw typically manifests when the kernel fails to properly validate parameters passed to Qualcomm-specific system calls or device drivers, allowing attackers to craft malicious inputs that bypass normal access controls. This weakness enables privilege escalation by manipulating kernel data structures or function pointers through carefully crafted payloads that exploit the insecure handling of user-supplied data within the closed source components. The vulnerability can be triggered through various attack vectors including malicious applications, compromised system services, or even physical access scenarios where attackers can interact with the kernel interfaces directly.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9015 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete system control and access to sensitive data stored within the device. Successful exploitation allows unauthorized users to modify system files, install malicious applications with system-level privileges, access encrypted data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the device. The closed source nature of the affected Qualcomm components makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous because traditional security scanning and penetration testing methodologies cannot fully assess the attack surface. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-20: Improper Input Validation and CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management, both of which are fundamental security weaknesses that enable unauthorized access to system resources. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that many Android devices rely on Qualcomm's proprietary security features such as TrustZone or Secure Execution environments that may also be compromised through this kernel-level vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9015 require a multi-layered approach addressing both the immediate kernel-level issues and broader system security posture. Device manufacturers should implement kernel patching procedures that address the specific Qualcomm closed source driver vulnerabilities, while also ensuring proper kernel module access controls and input validation mechanisms are in place. Security researchers and device vendors must establish robust testing procedures for kernel components, particularly focusing on the interfaces between proprietary Qualcomm drivers and the standard Android kernel. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of supply chain security and the risks associated with proprietary closed source components in mobile operating systems. Organizations should also implement runtime monitoring and anomaly detection systems that can identify suspicious kernel-level activities that may indicate exploitation attempts, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1055.001: Process Injection for Kernel-level privilege escalation detection. Additionally, users should maintain regular security updates and avoid installing untrusted applications that could potentially exploit this vulnerability to gain system-level access.