CVE-2015-9051 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a vulnerability exists in LTE where an assertion can be reached due to an improper bound on a length in a System Information message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9051 represents a critical security flaw within Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets that power numerous android devices running kernel-based operating systems. This issue specifically affects LTE communication protocols and stems from improper boundary checking within system information message processing. The vulnerability exists across all Qualcomm products utilizing Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum that employ the Linux kernel, indicating a widespread impact affecting multiple device manufacturers and models. The flaw manifests when an assertion is triggered due to insufficient validation of length parameters in system information messages, creating a potential pathway for malicious exploitation.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the inadequate bounds checking mechanism within the LTE subsystem of Qualcomm's cellular modem implementation. When processing system information messages, the kernel code fails to properly validate the length parameter before proceeding with subsequent operations. This allows an attacker to craft specially malformed system information messages that exceed expected bounds, triggering an assertion failure within the kernel. The improper bound on length creates a condition where the system cannot handle the unexpected data size, leading to potential system instability or arbitrary code execution. This flaw falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which specifically addresses issues where array indices or length parameters are not properly validated before use. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices in kernel-level network processing code.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9051 extends beyond simple system crashes, potentially enabling sophisticated attack vectors that could compromise device security and user privacy. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to cause denial of service conditions, effectively rendering devices unable to maintain LTE connectivity, or potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The vulnerability's presence in the Linux kernel layer means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated system access, potentially leading to complete device compromise. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it could enable attackers to establish persistent access through kernel-level code execution. The widespread nature of affected Qualcomm products means that millions of devices could be vulnerable to this attack vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9051 should focus on both immediate patching and long-term architectural improvements. Device manufacturers must implement kernel updates that correct the bounds checking mechanism in LTE system information message processing, ensuring proper validation of length parameters before assertion evaluation. The fix should include comprehensive input validation that prevents malformed data from reaching critical kernel functions, implementing proper array bounds checking and length validation routines. Organizations should also consider network-level monitoring to detect anomalous system information message patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing robust firmware update mechanisms and regular security assessments can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future implementations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in kernel security and aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-128 for kernel security hardening and secure coding practices.