CVE-2015-9050 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a vulnerability exists where an array out of bounds access can occur during a CA call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9050 represents a critical array out of bounds access flaw within Qualcomm's Android implementations that utilize the Linux kernel. This issue affects all Qualcomm products that incorporate Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum (CAF) and demonstrates a fundamental memory management error in the kernel-level handling of communication protocols. The vulnerability specifically manifests during Certificate Authority (CA) calls, which are essential components in cryptographic operations and secure communication channels within mobile devices.
This memory corruption vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms within the kernel's handling of array operations during CA call processing. The flaw occurs when the system attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated array boundaries, potentially allowing malicious actors to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. The root cause aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and represents a classic buffer overflow scenario that can be exploited through carefully crafted inputs to the CA call interface. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the kernel level, providing attackers with elevated privileges and direct access to critical system resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9050 extends beyond simple system crashes or denial of service conditions. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive cryptographic keys, compromise secure communication channels, or execute malicious code with kernel-level privileges. The attack surface includes any Qualcomm-based Android device that processes CA calls, which encompasses a vast array of smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices that rely on Qualcomm's chipsets for their core functionality. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as well as T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, making it particularly dangerous in mobile threat landscapes where device integrity is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers, as the flaw exists within the kernel level implementations that cannot be patched through standard application updates. Qualcomm and Android vendors must implement comprehensive bounds checking mechanisms to validate array indices before memory access operations, ensuring that all CA call processing includes proper input validation and memory boundary verification. Security researchers should monitor for potential exploitation attempts and implement network-based detection measures that can identify anomalous CA call patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing device isolation measures and enhanced monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activities that could indicate successful exploitation of this vulnerability.