CVE-2015-9122 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9655, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, and SD 835, possible buffer overflow if SIM card sends a response greater than 64KB of data for stream APDU command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9122 represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting Android devices equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile processors. This flaw exists within the SIM card communication handling mechanism where the system fails to properly validate the size of data responses from SIM cards during stream APDU command processing. The vulnerability specifically impacts devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear chipsets including models such as MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9655, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, and SD 835. The root cause stems from insufficient input validation where the system assumes that SIM card responses will not exceed 64KB of data, creating a potential exploitation vector when maliciously crafted responses exceed this boundary.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the SIM card interface layer of the Android operating system where stream APDU commands are processed. When a SIM card sends a response larger than the allocated buffer space of 64KB, the system's memory management fails to handle the overflow gracefully, potentially leading to memory corruption. This condition allows attackers to manipulate the system's memory layout and could enable arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The attack surface is particularly concerning because SIM cards are integral to mobile device security and authentication mechanisms, making this a critical threat vector for mobile device exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to potentially enable sophisticated attack scenarios. An attacker with proximity to a target device could potentially craft malicious SIM card responses that trigger the buffer overflow, leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where mobile devices handle sensitive information or serve as security gateways for enterprise networks. The exploitation could result in unauthorized access to device data, interception of communications, or use of the device as a pivot point for further attacks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a significant concern for mobile security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9122 require immediate deployment of security patches from device manufacturers and Qualcomm, as well as implementing proper input validation mechanisms within the SIM card communication stack. Organizations should prioritize updating affected devices to security patch levels released after April 5, 2018, which contain the necessary fixes for this buffer overflow condition. System administrators should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous SIM card communication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, device manufacturers should enhance their memory management protocols to properly handle oversized data responses from SIM cards and implement robust bounds checking mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in mobile security architectures and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of communication interfaces between mobile processors and peripheral devices.