CVE-2015-9149 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, MDM9650, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, and SD 850, in a DIAG ioctl handler, an untrusted pointer dereference can occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9149 represents a critical security flaw affecting Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platforms that was present in Android systems prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch level. This issue resides within the DIAG ioctl handler component of the Qualcomm chipset architecture, specifically impacting a wide range of Snapdragon SoCs including the MDM9206, MDM9650, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, and SD 850 processors. The vulnerability manifests as an untrusted pointer dereference condition that occurs during the processing of diagnostic interface commands, creating a potential pathway for malicious code execution.
This technical flaw falls under the category of CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference vulnerabilities, representing a fundamental weakness in the software's input validation mechanisms. The DIAG ioctl handler processes diagnostic commands that are typically used for debugging and testing purposes during development and manufacturing phases. However, when these commands are processed with insufficient validation of user-supplied data, the system can attempt to dereference a pointer that has not been properly initialized or validated, leading to unpredictable behavior including system crashes or potentially arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it exists in the kernel-level diagnostic interface, which typically operates with elevated privileges and can be accessed by applications with appropriate permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it provides potential attackers with a means to achieve privilege escalation and execute malicious code on affected devices. The untrusted pointer dereference can be exploited through carefully crafted diagnostic commands that manipulate the pointer values passed to the DIAG handler. This creates a scenario where an attacker with local access to the device could potentially leverage this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges, leading to complete system compromise. The widespread adoption of the affected Snapdragon chipsets across automotive infotainment systems, smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices significantly amplifies the potential attack surface and impact scope. The vulnerability's presence in automotive platforms raises particular concerns given the critical nature of vehicle systems and the potential for remote exploitation through connected vehicle networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9149 primarily focus on applying the relevant security patches released by Qualcomm and Android vendors, which address the pointer validation issues within the DIAG ioctl handler. Organizations and device manufacturers should prioritize immediate deployment of the 2018-04-05 security update or subsequent patches that contain fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as kernel address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider restricting access to diagnostic interfaces and implementing proper input validation controls for any applications that interact with these kernel components. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1059 which covers "Command and Scripting Interpreter," highlighting the potential for attackers to leverage such kernel-level vulnerabilities to establish persistent access and execute malicious payloads. Network segmentation and monitoring of diagnostic interface usage can also help detect potential exploitation attempts and provide early warning of compromise.