CVE-2015-9156 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, MDM9635M, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 800, SD 808, and SD 810, when making a high speed Dual Carrier Downlink Data call in a multicell environment, a buffer overflow may occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile processors affecting Android devices patched before April 5th 2018. The issue manifests during high-speed dual carrier downlink data calls within multicell environments where the telecommunications stack fails to properly validate buffer boundaries. The flaw specifically impacts a range of Snapdragon chipsets including MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9635M, MSM8909W, and various SD series processors from SD 210 through SD 810. The buffer overflow occurs in the telecommunications processing layer when handling multiple carrier data transmission scenarios, creating a potential entry point for malicious code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the modem firmware's data handling routines. When multiple carriers operate simultaneously in a multicell environment, the system allocates memory buffers for data processing without sufficient boundary checking mechanisms. This allows an attacker to craft specially formatted data packets that exceed allocated buffer sizes, causing memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow under CWE-121, representing a classic memory safety issue where insufficient bounds checking enables attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it affects the fundamental telecommunications capabilities of affected devices. An attacker could potentially disrupt cellular connectivity, access sensitive user data, or escalate privileges to gain full system control. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the modem level, meaning it can affect all cellular communications including voice calls, text messaging, and data transmission. This creates a persistent threat vector that remains active even when the device is not actively connected to a network, as the vulnerable code remains resident in the modem firmware.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both firmware updates and system-level protections. Device manufacturers must deploy updated modem firmware patches that implement proper buffer boundary checking and memory validation routines. System administrators should ensure all affected devices receive the latest security patches, particularly those released by Qualcomm and device vendors following the 2018-04-05 timeline. Network operators should monitor for exploitation attempts and implement additional network-level controls to detect anomalous data transmission patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through firmware manipulation, with potential for lateral movement once initial access is achieved. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual telecommunications traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.