CVE-2015-9063 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a buffer overflow vulnerability exists in a procedure involving a remote UIM client.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9063 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Qualcomm's Android implementations that affects devices utilizing the Linux kernel framework. This security weakness specifically manifests in procedures related to remote UIM client operations, creating a potential entry point for malicious actors to exploit the underlying system architecture. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the UIM client component that handles communication between the device and the Universal Integrated Module. The affected Qualcomm products leverage the Linux kernel as their foundational operating system framework, making this vulnerability particularly widespread across Android devices that utilize Qualcomm's chipsets. This issue impacts all Android releases from CAF (Code Aurora Forum) that incorporate the Linux kernel, indicating a systemic problem rather than an isolated incident. The UIM client functionality typically manages SIM card operations and secure communication protocols, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from a security perspective as it could potentially allow unauthorized access to sensitive telecommunications data.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the UIM client processes data from remote sources without adequate bounds checking or memory allocation validation. This flaw allows an attacker to provide malicious input that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on the affected device. The vulnerability's nature aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits buffer overflows in heap-allocated memory regions. From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates significant risk for mobile device users as it can be exploited remotely through network-based attacks targeting the UIM client interface. The attack surface is particularly broad given that Qualcomm's chipsets power a substantial portion of the global smartphone market, potentially affecting millions of devices simultaneously. The exploitation of this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain elevated privileges on the device, access sensitive user data, intercept communications, or even take complete control of the mobile platform.
The impact of CVE-2015-9063 extends beyond simple data compromise as it represents a foundational security weakness that could facilitate more sophisticated attack vectors. Mobile devices utilizing affected Qualcomm chipsets become vulnerable to persistent threats that could maintain long-term access to the compromised platform. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the device, significantly expanding the potential attack surface and making this a particularly dangerous flaw from a threat modeling perspective. From an ATT&CK framework standpoint, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and remote code execution, potentially enabling adversaries to move laterally within networks or access sensitive telecommunications infrastructure. The security implications are compounded by the fact that many mobile devices lack robust security monitoring capabilities, making exploitation difficult to detect and prevent. Organizations and users should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority concern given its potential to enable comprehensive device compromise and data exfiltration. The remediation approach typically involves firmware updates from device manufacturers, though the patching process can be complex given the widespread adoption of affected Qualcomm chipsets across various device models and manufacturers.