CVE-2015-9123 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile, Snapdragon Wear, and Small Cell SoC FSM9055, IPQ4019, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9615, MDM9625, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 600, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, and SDX20, code to zeroize AES key could be compiled out by compiler which could potentially result in information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9123 represents a critical cryptographic flaw affecting numerous Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile and cellular system-on-chip platforms. This issue stems from a compiler optimization that may eliminate code responsible for zeroizing AES keys during memory cleanup operations. The vulnerability impacts Android devices released prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch level, creating a persistent security risk across multiple generations of Qualcomm's mobile processing units. The affected hardware includes various Snapdragon Mobile, Wear, and Small Cell SoC platforms such as FSM9055, IPQ4019, MDM9206, MDM9607, and numerous other models spanning the SD 2xx, SD 4xx, SD 6xx, SD 8xx, and SDX20 series. This flaw directly violates security principles by allowing sensitive cryptographic material to remain accessible in memory even after its intended use has concluded, creating potential attack vectors for adversaries seeking to extract encryption keys.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the compiler optimization level where aggressive code elimination techniques may remove memory zeroization routines that are crucial for cryptographic security. When the compiler determines that certain code paths are unreachable or redundant, it may optimize away the AES key clearing operations, leaving cryptographic material in memory accessible to malicious actors. This optimization behavior creates a persistent memory leak where encryption keys remain in volatile storage even after their cryptographic operations have completed. The flaw specifically targets the memory management practices during key lifecycle operations, where proper key destruction protocols are bypassed through automated compiler decisions rather than intentional design flaws. This type of vulnerability is classified as a weakness in cryptographic key management and directly relates to CWE-316, which addresses cleartext storage of sensitive information in memory, and CWE-310, which covers cryptographic key management failures.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9123 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system compromise and data breach scenarios. When cryptographic keys remain accessible in memory, attackers can potentially extract these keys through memory dumping techniques, side-channel attacks, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities present on the device. The vulnerability affects devices that rely on these Qualcomm processors for secure communications, encryption operations, and cryptographic transactions, making it particularly dangerous for mobile devices handling sensitive data. The widespread nature of affected hardware platforms means that numerous Android devices across different manufacturers could be vulnerable, creating a substantial attack surface for threat actors. This vulnerability particularly impacts devices where secure key handling is essential for protecting user data, communications, and device integrity, including smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices utilizing Qualcomm's mobile processors. The potential for persistent key exposure creates long-term security risks as compromised keys can be used to decrypt previously captured communications or access protected data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9123 primarily focus on applying the relevant Android security patches released by Google and Qualcomm. Device manufacturers must ensure that all affected devices receive the appropriate security updates that address the compiler optimization behavior and restore proper key zeroization procedures. System administrators should prioritize patch deployment across all affected platforms and monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing memory protection mechanisms, monitoring for unauthorized memory access patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of cryptographic implementations. Organizations should also consider implementing key rotation policies and monitoring for potential key compromise indicators. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving credential access through memory scraping and privilege escalation via compromised cryptographic materials. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of compiler security considerations and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing that includes optimization behaviors. Device users should be advised to maintain updated firmware and security patches, as this vulnerability represents a persistent risk that cannot be fully mitigated through user-level actions alone. The remediation process requires coordinated efforts between software vendors, device manufacturers, and security researchers to ensure comprehensive protection against this class of cryptographic key exposure vulnerabilities.