CVE-2015-9071 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a buffer over-read vulnerability exists in a TrustZone syscall.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9071 represents a critical buffer over-read condition within Qualcomm's TrustZone implementation on Android devices. This flaw exists in the Linux kernel components used by Qualcomm Android devices, specifically affecting those utilizing the Linux kernel from the Code Aurora Forum. The vulnerability manifests in the secure execution environment of TrustZone, which is designed to provide a secure processing area for sensitive operations including cryptographic functions, secure boot processes, and hardware security modules.
The technical flaw stems from improper bounds checking within the TrustZone system call handler, where input parameters are not adequately validated before being processed. This allows an attacker with access to the secure world to potentially read memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, leading to information disclosure or potential privilege escalation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because TrustZone is designed to isolate sensitive operations from the main operating system, making it a critical component for device security. The flaw affects all Qualcomm products running Android versions that utilize the Linux kernel from Code Aurora Forum, representing a widespread impact across numerous mobile devices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to extract sensitive data from the secure world memory space. This includes potentially accessing cryptographic keys, secure storage contents, or other confidential information that should remain isolated from the main operating system. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious applications or compromised system components that gain access to the TrustZone execution environment. According to CWE classification, this represents a buffer over-read vulnerability (CWE-125) that occurs in a secure execution environment, making it particularly dangerous as it undermines the fundamental security model of the device's hardware security architecture. The attack surface is significant given that TrustZone is integral to device security and is accessed by numerous system components during normal operation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9071 require both firmware and software updates from device manufacturers, as the vulnerability resides in the kernel-level TrustZone implementation. Qualcomm has released patches addressing this issue in their kernel implementations, but device owners must ensure their devices receive these updates through official channels. Organizations should implement robust device management policies to track and deploy these security patches across their device fleets. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in trusted execution environments, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for system security. Security researchers and device manufacturers should conduct comprehensive testing of TrustZone implementations to identify similar vulnerabilities in other secure execution environments. Regular security audits of hardware security modules and secure world implementations are essential to prevent exploitation of similar buffer over-read conditions that could compromise the integrity of the device's security architecture.