CVE-2015-9131 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 800, SD 808, and SD 810, lack of input validation in qsee can lead to unauthorized memory access.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9131 represents a critical security flaw within the Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile platform ecosystem affecting Android devices released prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch level. This weakness resides in the Qualcomm Secure Execution Environment qsee component, which serves as a trusted execution environment responsible for handling sensitive operations including cryptographic functions and secure key storage. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the qsee subsystem, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit unauthorized memory access patterns that should remain protected from standard operating system processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-129, Input Validation, and specifically manifests as insufficient validation of input parameters passed to the qsee service. When legitimate applications or system processes attempt to communicate with the secure execution environment through the qsee interface, the lack of proper parameter checking allows attackers to manipulate memory access requests. This flaw enables adversaries to potentially read or write to memory regions that should be restricted, effectively bypassing the isolation mechanisms that protect sensitive data and cryptographic keys within the secure environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at a low system level within the Trusted Execution Environment, making it difficult to detect and exploit without specialized knowledge of the Qualcomm hardware architecture.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability exposes devices to significant risk as it allows for unauthorized memory access that could compromise cryptographic keys, sensitive user data, and system integrity. Attackers could leverage this weakness to extract encryption keys used for device encryption, secure communications, or digital signatures, potentially leading to full device compromise. The impact extends beyond individual device security to broader ecosystem concerns as compromised devices could serve as entry points for attacking connected networks or accessing corporate data through mobile device management systems. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1059.007, adversaries could use this vulnerability to establish persistent access through the compromised secure environment, while T1552.001 indicates potential credential theft through memory access exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9131 primarily focus on applying the relevant security patches released by Qualcomm and device manufacturers. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected devices to the latest security patch levels, particularly those running Android versions prior to the 2018-04-05 release. Device manufacturers must ensure proper testing and deployment of patches to maintain the integrity of the secure execution environment. Additionally, security teams should implement monitoring for unusual memory access patterns and consider network-level protections against known exploitation techniques. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure boot processes and proper input validation in trusted execution environments, as outlined in the NIST SP 800-193 standard for secure mobile device management. Regular security assessments of mobile platforms and implementation of defense-in-depth strategies remain crucial for protecting against similar vulnerabilities in the rapidly evolving mobile security landscape.