CVE-2015-9171 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, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, and SD 850, if OEMCrypto_Dash_InstallEncapKeybox() is called with keyBoxLength set to a value higher than TZ_WV_MAX_DATA_LEN (20k), a buffer over-read occurs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
This vulnerability exists within the Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform firmware components, specifically affecting the OEMCrypto_Dash_InstallEncapKeybox() function that handles cryptographic key management operations. The issue stems from inadequate input validation where the function fails to properly check the keyBoxLength parameter against the predefined TZ_WV_MAX_DATA_LEN limit of 20 kilobytes. When an attacker provides a keyBoxLength value exceeding this threshold, the system performs a buffer over-read operation that can lead to unauthorized data access and potential system compromise.
The technical flaw manifests in the cryptographic subsystem that manages Widevine content protection for Android devices. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though in this case it specifically represents a buffer over-read condition that can be exploited to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The affected platforms include a wide range of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets used in automotive infotainment systems, mobile devices, and wearables, making this a significant concern for automotive cybersecurity and mobile device security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it can potentially allow attackers to extract sensitive cryptographic keys, access protected media content, or even escalate privileges within the secure execution environment. The vulnerability affects devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon MDM9206, MDM9650, MSM8909W, and various SD series processors, creating a substantial attack surface across automotive and mobile platforms. This represents a critical security gap in the Trusted Execution Environment where the system fails to properly validate input parameters before processing cryptographic operations.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1547.001 for registry run keys and startup folder, as exploitation could enable persistent access through compromised cryptographic components. The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors who gain access to the device's firmware or through supply chain attacks targeting automotive systems that rely on Qualcomm's secure boot and content protection mechanisms. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures and monitor for unauthorized access attempts in automotive infotainment systems, mobile devices, and wearable technology that utilize the affected Snapdragon chipsets.
Mitigation strategies should include firmware updates from device manufacturers, implementation of runtime monitoring for anomalous buffer access patterns, and network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement. Security teams must also consider the broader implications for automotive cybersecurity frameworks and ensure that vehicle infotainment systems are properly isolated from critical vehicle control systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in secure cryptographic implementations and the need for comprehensive security testing of automotive platform components that handle sensitive data processing.