CVE-2015-9034 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a string can fail to be null-terminated in SIP leading to a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9034 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Qualcomm's Android implementations that stems from improper null-termination of strings in the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) processing components. This issue affects all Qualcomm products utilizing Android releases from the Code-Aurora Forum (CAF) that incorporate the Linux kernel, creating a widespread exposure across numerous mobile devices and embedded systems. The root cause lies in the insufficient validation and handling of string data within the SIP communication stack, where character arrays fail to be properly terminated with null characters, leading to potential memory corruption scenarios.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the Linux kernel subsystem that handles SIP protocol processing for mobile communication services. When SIP messages are received or processed, the system fails to ensure proper null-termination of string buffers, creating a condition where subsequent memory operations may read beyond allocated boundaries. This flaw specifically impacts the buffer management routines that handle SIP headers, user identifiers, and other string-based parameters commonly used in VoIP and mobile communication protocols. The absence of null-termination creates a predictable pattern where adjacent memory locations may be accessed, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to mobile device security and system stability. Attackers could exploit this buffer overflow by crafting malicious SIP messages that trigger the vulnerable code path, potentially enabling remote code execution on affected devices. The impact extends beyond simple system crashes to include potential data breaches, unauthorized access to communication channels, and compromise of the entire device through privilege escalation. Given that Qualcomm's chipsets power a substantial portion of the Android mobile ecosystem, the potential attack surface is extensive, affecting millions of devices across various manufacturers who utilize Qualcomm's hardware platforms.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper string handling in kernel space operations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this weakness maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and code execution within system-level processes. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that SIP processing occurs at the kernel level, making it accessible through standard network communication channels without requiring physical access or elevated privileges. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates, network segmentation to limit SIP traffic exposure, and monitoring for anomalous SIP message patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.
The remediation approach requires coordinated efforts between Qualcomm, device manufacturers, and end users to deploy security patches that properly enforce null-termination of string buffers within the SIP processing components. System administrators should monitor for indicators of exploitation attempts and ensure that all affected devices receive timely updates. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing deep packet inspection to identify and block malformed SIP traffic that could exploit this vulnerability. The long-term solution involves strengthening the kernel's memory management routines and implementing robust input validation mechanisms that prevent similar string handling errors from occurring in other protocol implementations within the same system architecture.