CVE-2015-9167 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Automobile and Snapdragon Mobile SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 600, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, and SD 820A, in an EMM command, an integer underflow can occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9167 represents a critical integer underflow flaw affecting Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platforms that was present in Android versions prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch level. This vulnerability specifically impacts a wide range of Snapdragon chipsets including the SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 600, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, and SD 820A processors. The flaw manifests within the Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) command processing mechanism, which is a critical component in mobile device management systems used by enterprises and government organizations to secure and manage mobile devices.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the EMM command handler where integer underflow conditions can occur when processing specific command parameters. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-191, which specifically addresses integer underflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper boundary checking can lead to exploitable conditions. When an integer underflow occurs, it typically results in a variable wrapping around to a much larger value than expected, creating unexpected behavior in the system. The EMM command processing environment provides a privileged execution context that makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous, as it can potentially allow attackers to manipulate memory structures and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical mobile security concerns, particularly given the automotive applications of the affected Snapdragon chipsets. In automotive environments, EMM commands are often used to configure device policies, manage applications, and enforce security settings that can directly affect vehicle systems and data integrity. The integer underflow condition creates a potential attack vector where malicious actors could craft specially formatted EMM commands to cause memory corruption, leading to privilege escalation or denial of service conditions. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in automotive contexts where device management systems control critical vehicle functions and where the integrity of mobile device management protocols is paramount for overall system security.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the relevant Android security patches released on or after April 5, 2018, which addressed this specific integer underflow condition. The mitigation approach should also include network segmentation and monitoring of EMM command traffic to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and command execution, with potential for lateral movement through compromised device management systems. Security teams should also consider implementing additional controls such as EMM command validation, access controls for EMM interfaces, and regular security assessments of mobile device management infrastructure to prevent exploitation of this and similar integer underflow vulnerabilities that could compromise both mobile and automotive systems.