CVE-2015-9126 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear MDM9607, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, and SDX20, possible buffer overflow when processing 1X circuit service message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
This vulnerability exists within the Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile and wearable chipsets affecting Android devices released before the 2018-04-05 security patch level. The flaw manifests as a buffer overflow condition during the processing of 1X circuit service messages, which are part of the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) telecommunications protocol used in cellular networks. The vulnerability specifically impacts a wide range of Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms including the MDM9607, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, and SDX20 chipsets. This represents a critical security weakness classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at a low system level within the modem firmware, making it difficult to detect and exploit through traditional application-level security measures. Attackers could potentially leverage this buffer overflow to execute arbitrary code on the affected devices, potentially gaining full system control and access to sensitive user data. The operational impact extends beyond simple device compromise as these chipsets power millions of smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices worldwide, creating a substantial attack surface for malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the telecommunications processing subsystem of the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. When processing 1X circuit service messages, the system fails to properly validate the length and content of incoming data packets, allowing an attacker to craft malicious messages that exceed the allocated buffer space. This overflow can overwrite critical memory regions including return addresses, function pointers, and other control data structures within the execution context. The vulnerability operates in a manner consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the compromised modem processor. The buffer overflow condition is particularly dangerous because it occurs within the baseband processor firmware, which operates with high privileges and has direct access to hardware components. This low-level exploitation capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as the compromised modem processor could potentially elevate privileges to the full system level. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that these chipsets are widely deployed across multiple Android device manufacturers, creating a systemic risk that affects numerous device models and operating system versions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require a multi-layered approach combining immediate patch management with network-level monitoring and device hardening measures. Device manufacturers must prioritize the deployment of security patches that address the specific buffer overflow conditions within the Qualcomm modem firmware, ensuring that all affected Snapdragon chipsets receive the necessary updates. System administrators should implement network monitoring solutions capable of detecting anomalous 1X circuit service message traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature makes traditional antivirus solutions ineffective since the attack occurs at the firmware level, necessitating hardware-level security measures such as secure boot implementations and memory protection features. Organizations should also consider implementing device management policies that enforce mandatory security updates and disable unnecessary telecommunications services when not required. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with various security frameworks including NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 requirements for vulnerability management and system security. The vulnerability's classification as a critical issue underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust device lifecycle management practices. Network security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to telecommunications protocol anomalies and implement intrusion detection systems specifically tuned to identify exploitation attempts targeting modem-level vulnerabilities. Given the widespread deployment of affected chipsets, coordinated remediation efforts across the mobile ecosystem are essential to ensure comprehensive protection against potential exploitation.