CVE-2015-9064 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, the UE can send IMEI or IMEISV to the network on a network request before NAS security has been activated.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9064 represents a significant security flaw in Qualcomm-based Android devices that utilize the Linux kernel and cellular network protocols. This issue specifically affects devices where the User Equipment (UE) can transmit sensitive identification information to the network before the necessary security mechanisms have been properly established. The flaw occurs within the Non-Access Stratum (NAS) security framework, which governs the communication between the mobile device and the cellular network infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from improper sequence handling in the authentication and security activation process, allowing for premature data transmission that could potentially expose critical device identifiers to unauthorized parties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper timing of security context establishment within the cellular protocol stack. When a device connects to a cellular network, it undergoes a series of authentication steps that should establish secure communication channels before sensitive information is exchanged. However, in affected Qualcomm implementations, the UE can transmit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) or International Mobile Equipment Identifier and Security Version (IMEISV) information to the network upon request from the network side even before the NAS security procedures have completed. This violates fundamental security principles that require proper authentication and encryption setup before sensitive data transmission occurs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privacy concerns to encompass potential security breaches that could enable various attack vectors. Adversaries with network-level access or those capable of intercepting cellular communications could exploit this weakness to gather device-specific identifiers that are typically protected during the security establishment phase. These identifiers could be used for device tracking, targeted attacks, or to correlate multiple devices for surveillance purposes. The vulnerability particularly affects devices that rely on Qualcomm's cellular modems and the Linux kernel implementations used in Android smartphones and tablets, creating a widespread impact across numerous mobile device models and manufacturers that utilize Qualcomm chipsets.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weakness, and represents a failure in proper security protocol implementation. The flaw specifically relates to improper sequence handling in security context establishment and could potentially be leveraged in conjunction with other techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1566 tactic for credential access through network infiltration. The improper timing of security activation creates a window of opportunity for attackers to exploit the communication gap before proper encryption and authentication mechanisms are fully operational, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where cellular network security is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both firmware-level updates from device manufacturers and network-level security improvements. Qualcomm and device manufacturers should implement proper sequence controls that ensure NAS security activation completes before any sensitive information is transmitted to the network. Network operators should also consider implementing additional monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect anomalous transmission patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Device users should ensure their systems are updated with the latest security patches, and organizations should conduct network security assessments to identify potentially vulnerable devices within their infrastructure. The fix typically involves implementing stricter protocol compliance that prevents premature data transmission until all security contexts are properly established, aligning with industry best practices for secure mobile communications and reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation.