CVE-2015-9165 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear IPQ4019, MDM9206, MDM9607, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 650/52, SD 808, and SD 810, incorrect error handling could lead to a double free in QTEE file service API.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9165 represents a critical memory corruption issue affecting Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile processors and wearable devices. This flaw exists within the QTEE file service API component of Android systems, specifically impacting devices released before the 2018-04-05 security patch level. The vulnerability manifests in Qualcomm's Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear platforms including the IPQ4019, MDM9206, MDM9607, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 650/52, SD 808, and SD 810 chipsets. The issue stems from improper error handling mechanisms within the Trusted Execution Environment file service API, creating conditions where memory management operations can be executed twice on the same memory location.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a double free condition that occurs when the QTEE file service API encounters specific error scenarios during file operations. When an error occurs during file processing, the system's error handling routine fails to properly validate memory state before attempting to free allocated resources. This incorrect error handling allows an attacker to potentially manipulate the system into executing the same free operation twice on the same memory block, leading to heap corruption and potential arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-415 as an improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation, specifically manifesting as double free conditions that can be exploited to compromise system integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it provides potential attackers with opportunities to escalate privileges and execute malicious code within the Trusted Execution Environment. Attackers could leverage this double free condition to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data stored in secure enclaves, potentially compromising encryption keys, biometric data, or other protected information. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Qualcomm-based devices that rely on the QTEE service for secure file operations, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread deployment of these processors in smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices. This issue represents a significant threat to device security as it undermines the fundamental trust model of the TEE component that is designed to protect sensitive operations from regular operating system processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9165 primarily focus on applying the relevant security patches released by Qualcomm and device manufacturers. Organizations and users should ensure their devices receive the 2018-04-05 security update or later patches that address the improper error handling in the QTEE file service API. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to verify that all affected devices receive timely updates, particularly in enterprise environments where device security is paramount. Additionally, monitoring for anomalous system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts should be implemented, as the double free condition may manifest through system instability or unexpected crashes. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper error handling in security-critical components and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through system commands, as exploitation could enable command execution within the secure environment. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing additional runtime protections and memory integrity checks to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future implementations of similar security services.