CVE-2015-9037 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a buffer over-read may occur in the processing of a downlink 3G NAS message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9037 represents a critical buffer over-read condition affecting Qualcomm products that incorporate Android-based systems utilizing the Linux kernel. This flaw manifests specifically during the processing of downlink 3G NAS (Non-Access Stratum) messages, which are essential components of cellular network communication protocols. The issue stems from improper input validation and memory management within the kernel-level implementation responsible for handling these particular network messages.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the realm of memory corruption flaws, specifically categorized under CWE-125 as out-of-bounds read conditions. The flaw occurs when the system processes 3G NAS messages received from the network, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to potentially manipulate the message content in a way that causes the kernel to read memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This over-read condition can expose sensitive kernel memory contents, potentially revealing information about system state, memory layout, or other confidential data that could be leveraged for further exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a potential pathway for more sophisticated attacks within the mobile security landscape. Mobile devices utilizing affected Qualcomm chipsets become susceptible to attacks that could lead to privilege escalation, denial of service conditions, or even complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects all Qualcomm products running Android releases from the Code-Aurora Forum (CAF) that utilize the Linux kernel, indicating a broad attack surface across numerous device models and manufacturers. The nature of 3G NAS messages being processed means that this vulnerability could be triggered through normal network communication without requiring physical access or specialized user interaction.
This vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1068 category for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1059 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter" as attackers could potentially use the information disclosure to craft more targeted attacks. The flaw's presence in the Linux kernel level means that exploitation could potentially bypass traditional Android security mechanisms, creating a persistent threat vector that affects the fundamental operating system layer. Organizations and device manufacturers must consider this vulnerability as part of their comprehensive mobile security posture, especially given the widespread deployment of Qualcomm chipsets in mobile devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9037 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, with particular attention to the Linux kernel implementations used by Qualcomm products. Device manufacturers should implement robust input validation mechanisms for NAS message processing and ensure proper bounds checking is enforced during message handling operations. System administrators should monitor network traffic for anomalous patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also maintaining awareness of the broader mobile security ecosystem. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure kernel development practices and proper memory management, emphasizing that flaws at the operating system level can have cascading effects throughout the entire security architecture of mobile devices.