CVE-2015-9145 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile, and Snapdragon Wear MDM9206, 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 820A, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, and SDX20, lack of input validation in NPA driver functions leads to null pointer dereference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9145 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the NPA driver functions of Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platforms. This issue affects a broad range of Snapdragon chipsets including the MDM9206, 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 820A, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, and SDX20 series. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the NPA driver components that handle network packet processing and related operations. This flaw falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions, making it a fundamental software security weakness that can lead to system instability and potential exploitation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when malicious input data is processed by the NPA driver functions without proper validation checks. When the driver encounters unexpected or malformed input parameters, it attempts to dereference a null pointer, causing the system to crash or become unresponsive. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in automotive environments where system stability directly impacts vehicle safety and functionality. The NPA driver operates at a low level within the system architecture, processing network-related packets and communications that are critical for vehicle connectivity and telematics services. Attackers could potentially leverage this weakness to cause denial of service conditions or, in more sophisticated scenarios, to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to vehicle systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9145 extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially compromise vehicle security systems and communication networks. In automotive applications, this vulnerability could affect infotainment systems, telematics units, and vehicle-to-vehicle communication protocols that rely on the affected Snapdragon chipsets. The vulnerability's presence in automotive platforms makes it particularly concerning as it could be exploited to disrupt critical vehicle functions or create entry points for more advanced attacks. The widespread nature of affected chipsets means that numerous vehicle models and automotive systems could be vulnerable, creating a significant attack surface that requires immediate attention from automotive security teams and manufacturers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms within the NPA driver functions and applying the relevant security patches released by Qualcomm and device manufacturers. System administrators and automotive security teams should prioritize updating affected systems to the latest security patches available from Qualcomm and device vendors. The implementation of proper null pointer checks and input validation routines aligns with defensive programming practices recommended in the software security community and addresses the core weakness identified in CWE-476. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of automotive communication protocols can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections and intrusion detection systems specifically designed for automotive environments to monitor for anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts against this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for Windows Scripting, though the specific implementation requires system-level exploitation and would likely be classified under privilege escalation and denial of service techniques.