CVE-2015-9161 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, and SD 810, TOCTOU condition could lead to a buffer overflow in function playready_reader_bind().
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9161 represents a critical timing-of-check to timing-of-use condition that affects various Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile processors. This flaw exists within the Android operating system's media playback functionality, specifically within the playready_reader_bind() function that handles Microsoft's PlayReady digital rights management content. The vulnerability stems from improper synchronization between the time when a system checks for valid input parameters and the subsequent use of those parameters, creating an exploitable window where malicious input can be manipulated between verification and execution phases. The affected Snapdragon chipsets include the MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, and SD 810 processors, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm's mobile platform ecosystem. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-367 which specifically addresses the timing-of-check to timing-of-use flaw, a well-documented security weakness that has been exploited in numerous mobile platform compromises.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the media processing pipeline where the system performs input validation on PlayReady content before executing the actual playback operations. When a malicious actor crafts specially crafted media files with manipulated parameters, the system's initial validation check may pass successfully, but during the subsequent execution phase, the parameters have been altered or corrupted, leading to a buffer overflow condition. The buffer overflow in playready_reader_bind() function allows attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, as the function operates within the media processing context that typically runs with system-level permissions. This flaw particularly affects the Android security model where media processing components are trusted to handle untrusted content without proper input sanitization between validation and execution phases. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the system level rather than requiring user interaction or application-level exploitation, making it a prime candidate for zero-day attacks that could compromise entire mobile platforms.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9161 extends far beyond individual device compromise, as it affects a substantial portion of the Android mobile ecosystem that relies on Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors. Devices running affected Android versions and security patch levels become vulnerable to remote code execution attacks that could enable full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability's presence in multiple Snapdragon generations means that millions of devices across various manufacturers could be at risk, including smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices. Security researchers have noted that such timing-of-check to timing-of-use conditions are particularly challenging to detect and remediate, as they often require careful analysis of system call sequences and synchronization mechanisms. The vulnerability's exploitation typically follows ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command execution, potentially leading to privilege escalation and lateral movement within compromised networks. Organizations relying on these affected platforms face significant risk exposure, particularly in enterprise environments where mobile device management and security policies must account for such widespread processor-level vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9161 primarily focus on applying the appropriate Android security patches released by Google and Qualcomm, which address the timing-of-check to timing-of-use condition through proper synchronization mechanisms. Device manufacturers should implement immediate security updates and ensure that all affected Snapdragon-based devices receive the necessary firmware patches. The vulnerability requires system-level fixes that modify the playready_reader_bind() function to eliminate the race condition between input validation and execution phases, typically through the implementation of proper locking mechanisms or immediate parameter validation. Security administrators should also consider implementing network-based monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, as the attack surface includes any device that processes PlayReady content. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling PlayReady content processing on affected devices until proper patches are applied, though this approach may limit functionality for legitimate users. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that security updates do not introduce regressions in media playback functionality, particularly for legitimate PlayReady content that users expect to access securely.