CVE-2015-9065 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a UE can respond to a UEInformationRequest before Access Stratum security is established.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9065 represents a critical security flaw in Qualcomm-based Android devices that operate using the Linux kernel and are part of the Code Aurora Forum ecosystem. This weakness occurs within the cellular communication stack where user equipment can potentially respond to UEInformationRequest messages before the necessary Access Stratum security mechanisms have been properly established. The issue stems from an improper sequence in the authentication and security setup process, creating a window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the communication gap between the user device and the network infrastructure. This vulnerability specifically affects devices that utilize Qualcomm's modem and baseband processors, which are prevalent across numerous smartphone and tablet models from various manufacturers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of security context establishment within the LTE/3G cellular protocol stack. When a UEInformationRequest is initiated by the network, the device should wait for proper security parameters to be established before responding. However, the flaw allows the user equipment to send responses containing potentially sensitive information or authentication tokens before the Access Stratum security has been fully initialized. This creates a race condition where the device may inadvertently reveal information that should remain protected until the security handshake is complete. The underlying issue is typically classified as a weakness in the security protocol implementation, aligning with CWE-347 which addresses improper certificate validation and authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including man-in-the-middle scenarios, authentication bypass attempts, and unauthorized access to cellular network services. Attackers could exploit this weakness to intercept and manipulate communication between the device and the cellular network, potentially gaining access to location data, communication metadata, or even initiating unauthorized network connections. The vulnerability affects all Qualcomm products running Android versions that utilize the Linux kernel with Code Aurora Forum components, making it particularly widespread across the mobile ecosystem. This weakness directly impacts the fundamental security model of cellular communications and could allow threat actors to establish persistent access to device capabilities or network services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9065 should focus on implementing proper security context validation before allowing any responses to UEInformationRequest messages. Device manufacturers should ensure that firmware updates address the timing issue in the security establishment process and enforce proper sequence validation. Network operators should consider implementing additional monitoring for anomalous UE behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1566 for credential access and T1071 for application layer protocol usage. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, while ensuring that all devices receive timely security patches from their respective manufacturers. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper security protocol implementation in mobile communication systems and underscores the need for comprehensive testing of security contexts in wireless protocols.