CVE-2015-9062 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, an integer overflow to buffer overflow vulnerability exists when loading an ELF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9062 represents a critical security flaw affecting Qualcomm products that incorporate Android operating systems through the Linux kernel framework. This issue manifests during the process of loading ELF (Executable and Linkable Format) files, which are standard binary file formats used for executables, object code, and shared libraries in Unix-like operating systems. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of file size parameters during ELF loading operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through carefully crafted ELF files.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from an integer overflow condition that occurs when processing ELF file headers containing malformed size fields. When the Linux kernel attempts to parse these headers and calculate buffer sizes for loading the ELF content, it fails to properly validate the integer values, leading to an arithmetic overflow that results in a buffer overflow condition. This flaw falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which represents a well-documented class of vulnerabilities where integer arithmetic operations produce results that exceed the maximum value representable by the data type. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level, where such flaws can provide attackers with elevated privileges and system compromise capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9062 extends across all Qualcomm Snapdragon-based devices running Android versions that utilize the Linux kernel, affecting a broad range of mobile devices including smartphones, tablets, and other IoT devices. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious ELF files that, when executed or loaded by the system, trigger the integer overflow condition. This can result in arbitrary code execution, system crashes, or complete system compromise, depending on the specific implementation and exploitation vector. The vulnerability's presence in the Linux kernel layer means that it affects not just individual applications but potentially the entire operating system, creating a significant risk for users of Qualcomm-powered devices. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability aligns with T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code with elevated privileges through kernel-level exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9062 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems through official security updates provided by Qualcomm and device manufacturers. Organizations and users must ensure that all Qualcomm-based devices receive the latest kernel security patches that address the integer overflow condition in ELF file processing. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect suspicious ELF file loading activities and consider network-level controls to prevent execution of untrusted binary files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and integer overflow protection in kernel code, emphasizing the need for robust code review processes and adherence to secure coding practices. Security teams should also consider implementing device isolation measures and regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this class of vulnerability, particularly in environments where Qualcomm-based devices are prevalent and critical infrastructure depends on their secure operation.