CVE-2015-9115 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 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, and SD 820A, no address argument validation is performed on calls to the qsee_prng_getdata syscall.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9115 represents a critical security flaw in Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile chipsets that affects Android devices released before the 2018-04-05 security patch level. This issue specifically targets the qsee_prng_getdata system call, which is part of the Qualcomm Secure Execution Environment (QSEE) implementation designed to provide secure random number generation for cryptographic operations. The vulnerability stems from the complete absence of address argument validation within the kernel-level system call handler, creating a potential pathway for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. This flaw exists across multiple Snapdragon chipset families including the MDM9625, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 820, and SD 820A processors, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm's automotive and mobile product lines.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where insufficient validation of input parameters allows attackers to access memory locations outside the intended bounds. The qsee_prng_getdata syscall lacks proper bounds checking on memory address parameters, enabling attackers to pass malicious addresses that could point to kernel memory regions or other sensitive areas. This absence of validation creates a direct path for exploitation where an attacker with local privileges could manipulate the system call arguments to read or write to arbitrary memory locations. The vulnerability specifically affects the secure execution environment's random number generation functionality, which is critical for cryptographic operations including key generation, digital signatures, and secure communications. When combined with other potential attack vectors, this flaw could enable attackers to bypass security mechanisms, extract sensitive information, or gain elevated privileges within the secure execution environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9115 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the Qualcomm Secure Execution Environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access cryptographic keys stored in secure memory, compromise the integrity of random number generation used for security protocols, and potentially gain access to sensitive data processed within the secure domain. The vulnerability affects automotive systems that rely on Qualcomm chipsets for infotainment, telematics, and vehicle security functions, making it particularly concerning for connected vehicle ecosystems. Additionally, mobile devices using these chipsets could be compromised through local attacks that exploit the system call without requiring physical access or complex attack chains. The widespread presence of affected chipsets across multiple generations of Qualcomm's automotive and mobile platforms means that a large number of devices could be vulnerable, potentially affecting hundreds of millions of users. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1055, which covers process injection and privilege escalation methods that could be employed through kernel-level exploits.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9115 primarily focus on applying the relevant security patches released by Qualcomm and device manufacturers. Organizations and users must ensure that their devices receive the 2018-04-05 security update or newer patches that implement proper address validation for the qsee_prng_getdata system call. Device manufacturers should prioritize rolling out these patches to all affected models, particularly automotive systems where security is paramount. System administrators and security teams should also monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel module integrity checking and memory protection mechanisms. Network administrators should be aware that this vulnerability could be exploited in conjunction with other attacks targeting the same platforms, particularly in environments where these devices are connected to corporate networks. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation in kernel-level system calls, emphasizing that all memory address parameters should undergo rigorous validation before being used in memory operations. This case demonstrates the critical need for robust security practices in embedded systems and secure execution environments where traditional security measures may not be sufficient to protect against kernel-level exploits.