CVE-2015-9113 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Automobile and Snapdragon Mobile MDM9625, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 810, SD 820, and SD 820A, untrusted pointer dereference in QSEE Syscall without proper validation can lead to access of blacklisted memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2015-9113 represents a critical untrusted pointer dereference flaw within the Qualcomm Secure Execution Environment (QSEE) syscall implementation on various Snapdragon automotive and mobile platforms. This vulnerability exists in Android devices patched before April 5, 2018, affecting a wide range of Snapdragon SoCs including the MDM9625, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 810, SD 820, and SD 820A chipsets. The flaw resides in the kernel-level secure execution environment where syscall handlers fail to properly validate pointer inputs, creating a path for malicious actors to access memory regions that should remain restricted or blacklisted. This issue falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference vulnerabilities, though in this case the problem manifests as untrusted pointer dereference rather than simple NULL dereference.
The technical impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical memory corruption scenarios as it directly compromises the integrity of the secure execution environment that is designed to protect sensitive operations and data. When an untrusted pointer is dereferenced without proper validation, an attacker can potentially manipulate the execution flow to access memory locations that contain critical system information, cryptographic keys, or other sensitive data that should remain isolated from regular application execution. The QSEE syscall interface serves as a crucial bridge between the trusted secure world and the untrusted normal world, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could allow privilege escalation or information disclosure attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and T1005 which covers 'Data from Local System', as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to protected memory regions.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9113 is significant for automotive and mobile device users, particularly those running vulnerable Android versions on affected Snapdragon platforms. The vulnerability could enable attackers to extract sensitive information from the secure execution environment, potentially compromising device security, user privacy, and in automotive applications, vehicle safety systems. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to cryptographic keys used for device authentication, secure communications, or digital signatures, leading to potential device cloning, unauthorized access to vehicle systems, or complete compromise of the secure execution environment. The widespread adoption of these Snapdragon chipsets across various Android devices means that numerous users could be affected, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from a mass impact perspective. Organizations implementing security controls should consider this vulnerability as part of their risk assessment for devices using these chipsets, particularly in environments where device security and privacy are paramount considerations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9113 primarily focus on applying the relevant Android security patches released by Google and Qualcomm, ensuring devices are updated to versions patched after April 5, 2018. System administrators should also implement monitoring for suspicious syscall patterns and pointer dereference operations that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, device manufacturers should consider implementing additional input validation mechanisms in their custom kernel implementations and ensure proper sandboxing of secure execution environment components. Organizations using these devices in critical applications should conduct thorough security assessments to verify that their systems are properly patched and that no legacy components remain vulnerable to this or similar exploitation vectors. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in kernel-level code, particularly within trusted execution environments where security breaches can have far-reaching consequences.