CVE-2015-9137 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, 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, several EFS2 DIAG command handlers are not calling fs_diag_access_check().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9137 represents a critical security flaw in Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile processors that affects Android devices released before the 2018-04-05 security patch level. This issue specifically impacts a wide range of Snapdragon chipsets including the 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 platforms. The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the embedded file system diagnostic command handlers.
The technical flaw manifests in the EFS2 DIAG command handlers which fail to invoke the fs_diag_access_check() function before processing diagnostic commands. This omission creates a privilege escalation vector where unauthorized code can bypass normal access controls and gain elevated privileges within the embedded file system. The flaw operates at the kernel level and affects the diagnostic interface used for device debugging and maintenance purposes. Without proper access validation, malicious actors can execute diagnostic commands that should be restricted to privileged system components, effectively undermining the security boundaries established by the operating system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables attackers to manipulate the embedded file system through diagnostic interfaces. This weakness allows for potential data corruption, unauthorized access to sensitive system files, and the possibility of executing arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects devices that rely on Qualcomm's embedded file system implementation and represents a significant risk to mobile device security. Attackers could exploit this flaw to gain root access to the device, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. The widespread nature of affected chipsets means that millions of devices could be vulnerable, particularly those running older Android versions that have not received the necessary security patches.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues in software systems, and relates to the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques where adversaries seek to gain higher-level permissions within a system. The flaw demonstrates a classic security misconfiguration where access control checks are omitted during critical system operations. Organizations and device manufacturers should prioritize applying the relevant security patches released by Qualcomm and Android to address this vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify affected devices within their networks and implement appropriate network segmentation measures to limit potential exploitation. The remediation process requires updating the device firmware to include proper access control validation in the EFS2 DIAG command handlers, ensuring that fs_diag_access_check() is properly invoked before any diagnostic operations are executed.