CVE-2015-9060 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a pointer is not properly validated in a QTEE system call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9060 represents a critical security flaw within Qualcomm's Android-based products that utilize the Linux kernel and QTEE (Qualcomm Trusted Execution Environment) system. This issue stems from inadequate pointer validation during QTEE system calls, creating a potential avenue for privilege escalation and unauthorized system access. The vulnerability affects all Qualcomm products that incorporate Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum (CAF) and operate with the Linux kernel framework, indicating a widespread impact across multiple device types and manufacturers.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper validation of pointers within the QTEE system call interface, which serves as a critical security boundary between the trusted execution environment and the normal world operating system. When a system call is executed, the QTEE component fails to properly verify the integrity and validity of memory pointers passed to it, potentially allowing malicious actors to manipulate these pointers to gain access to restricted memory regions or execute arbitrary code within the trusted execution environment. This pointer validation failure directly corresponds to CWE-125, which describes an out-of-bounds read condition where an attacker can access memory beyond the intended buffer boundaries, and CWE-787, which addresses an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that allows modification of memory outside the allocated buffer.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to bypass the fundamental security guarantees provided by the Trusted Execution Environment. Within the context of the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including privilege escalation through kernel exploits and potentially to defense evasion methods by manipulating system call interfaces. The QTEE environment is designed to provide secure processing for sensitive operations such as cryptographic key storage, biometric authentication, and secure boot processes, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could compromise the entire security architecture of affected devices.
The exploitation of CVE-2015-9060 requires a sophisticated understanding of both the Linux kernel internals and Qualcomm's specific implementation of the QTEE system. Attackers would typically need to craft malicious system calls that manipulate pointer values to redirect execution flow or access protected memory regions. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects multiple device manufacturers who rely on Qualcomm's CAF Android releases, suggesting that numerous devices across various market segments could be vulnerable simultaneously. Security researchers have noted that this type of pointer validation failure often requires careful analysis of kernel source code and system call interfaces, making it particularly challenging to detect through standard security scanning tools.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Qualcomm products through firmware updates that properly validate all pointers within QTEE system calls. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes that include monitoring for patches related to Qualcomm's CAF Android releases and QTEE implementations. The remediation process must ensure that all pointer values are validated before being processed by the QTEE system, implementing proper bounds checking and memory access controls. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing runtime monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous system call patterns or pointer manipulation attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices in kernel-level components and the necessity of thorough security testing for trusted execution environments.