CVE-2015-9054 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a NULL pointer can be dereferenced during GAL decoding.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9054 represents a critical NULL pointer dereference issue affecting Qualcomm Snapdragon processors integrated into various Android devices. This flaw exists within the Linux kernel implementation used by Qualcomm Android platforms and specifically impacts the Graphics Abstraction Layer (GAL) decoding process. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation during graphics processing operations, where the system fails to adequately check for NULL pointer conditions before attempting to access memory locations. This issue affects all Qualcomm products utilizing Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum (CAF) and demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the kernel-level graphics subsystem implementation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs during the GAL decoding phase when malformed or unexpected graphics data is processed by the kernel. The flaw manifests as a NULL pointer dereference error, which typically results in a system crash or kernel panic. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions in software implementations. When an attacker can control the graphics input data, they may craft malicious graphics content that triggers this NULL pointer dereference, potentially leading to system instability or complete device failure. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given that graphics processing is a core function in mobile devices, making it a frequent attack surface for exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9054 extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. While the immediate effect may be a device reboot or temporary system freeze, the underlying issue creates opportunities for privilege escalation or persistent system compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to device resources, potentially leading to data theft or device control. The vulnerability's presence in Qualcomm's CAF-based Android implementations means that a significant number of mobile devices could be affected, particularly those manufactured by companies using Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which involves the use of system commands and potentially includes kernel-level exploits. The widespread adoption of Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform across multiple device manufacturers amplifies the potential impact of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9054 primarily involve applying kernel-level patches provided by Qualcomm and device manufacturers. These patches typically implement additional NULL pointer checks before graphics data processing operations, ensuring that the system validates all input parameters before attempting memory access. Organizations should prioritize updating their devices to the latest kernel versions that include fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization (ASLR) and kernel address space protection can help reduce the exploitability of similar vulnerabilities. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing input sanitization mechanisms for graphics processing to prevent malformed data from reaching the vulnerable kernel components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive testing for kernel-level graphics subsystems and proper error handling in mobile operating systems, emphasizing the need for adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in industry standards such as those defined by the CERT/CC secure coding guidelines.