CVE-2015-9039 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a vulnerability exists in eMBMS where an assertion can be reached by a sequence of downlink messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9039 resides within Qualcomm products that utilize Android operating systems through the Linux kernel framework specifically affecting eMBMS implementations. This represents a critical security flaw that impacts the broader mobile ecosystem where Qualcomm's modem chips serve as foundational components for numerous Android devices. The issue manifests through a specific assertion failure that occurs when processing a particular sequence of downlink messages, creating a potential attack vector that could compromise device stability and security.
This technical flaw constitutes a software assertion failure within the eMBMS (Enhanced Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service) subsystem of Qualcomm's mobile platform implementations. The vulnerability is triggered when the system receives and processes a specific sequence of downlink messages that causes an assertion to be reached, leading to unexpected system behavior. Such assertions typically serve as debugging mechanisms to detect software errors, but in this case, they can be manipulated to cause system instability. The flaw operates at the kernel level within the Linux-based Android framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect core system functions and potentially provide attackers with opportunities to escalate privileges or cause denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9039 extends beyond simple system instability to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the mobile security landscape. When an assertion failure occurs, it can result in system crashes, unexpected reboots, or even provide attackers with pathways to execute arbitrary code on affected devices. This vulnerability affects all Qualcomm products utilizing Android releases from CAF (Code Aurora Forum) that employ the Linux kernel, indicating a broad attack surface across numerous mobile devices. The nature of eMBMS implementations makes this particularly concerning as these services are commonly used for broadcasting multimedia content to multiple users simultaneously, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate broadcast streams or gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-617, which addresses reachable assertions in software implementations, and represents a classic example of how assertion failures can be exploited in mobile platform security contexts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9039 should focus on both immediate patch deployment and broader system hardening approaches. Qualcomm has issued security updates addressing this vulnerability through their regular security bulletins, and device manufacturers should prioritize applying these patches to affected systems. The remediation process involves updating the kernel components that handle eMBMS message processing to properly validate incoming downlink sequences and prevent assertion failures from being triggered. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service, and defensive measures should include network segmentation to limit exposure and regular security assessments of mobile platform implementations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and error handling in kernel-level components, particularly those managing broadcast services that interface with mobile network infrastructure.