CVE-2015-9047 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a vulnerability exists in GNSS when performing a scan after bootup.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9047 represents a critical security flaw within Qualcomm-based Android devices that utilize the Linux kernel and Common Android Framework components. This weakness specifically manifests in the Global Navigation Satellite System implementation during the device bootup process when performing GNSS scanning operations. The vulnerability affects all Qualcomm products that incorporate Android releases from the Common Android Framework, making it a widespread concern across numerous mobile devices and embedded systems that rely on Qualcomm's chipset solutions. The GNSS functionality is integral to location-based services and navigation applications, which makes this vulnerability particularly concerning from both privacy and security perspectives.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper handling of GNSS scan operations during the device boot sequence, where insufficient input validation and memory management controls exist within the kernel-level components responsible for satellite signal processing. This flaw allows for potential privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution when the system attempts to perform satellite acquisition and tracking operations immediately after system initialization. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs during the GNSS subsystem initialization, where buffer boundaries are not properly enforced during the scanning process. The issue stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms in the kernel modules that manage the GNSS receiver hardware interface, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the system through carefully crafted inputs that trigger the vulnerable code path.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to device security and user privacy as it can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to location data, potentially enabling location-based tracking of users without their knowledge. Attackers could leverage this weakness to execute malicious code within the kernel space, potentially leading to complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access. The impact extends beyond individual device security to broader network and infrastructure security concerns, particularly in enterprise environments where mobile devices are used for sensitive operations. The vulnerability's exploitation during bootup means that the attack surface is maximized when the device is most vulnerable, as security mechanisms may not yet be fully initialized. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in the kernel or operating system to achieve privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9047 require immediate patch deployment through official firmware updates from device manufacturers, as Qualcomm has released security patches addressing the specific buffer overflow conditions in the GNSS subsystem. Organizations should implement proactive monitoring for vulnerable devices within their networks and ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected hardware platforms. Network administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation and monitoring for anomalous location data transmission patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Device users should be advised to avoid using location-based services on vulnerable devices until patches are applied, and security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all potentially affected systems within their infrastructure. The remediation process must include verification that the patches have been properly installed and that the GNSS subsystem operates correctly after update deployment, as incomplete patching could leave residual vulnerabilities in the system's security posture.