CVE-2015-9172 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, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, and SD 850, in a WideVine API function, a buffer over-read can occur.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9172 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within the WideVine API implementation on various Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets deployed in automotive, mobile, and wearable devices. This security weakness affects Android devices with specific Snapdragon hardware configurations and represents a significant concern for enterprise and consumer security environments. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the WideVine digital rights management system, which is responsible for protecting premium content such as streaming media and protected applications. The flaw exists in the software stack that handles encrypted media content delivery and playback, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit media processing functionalities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a buffer over-read condition that occurs when the WideVine API function processes input data without adequate validation of buffer boundaries. This allows an attacker to read memory locations beyond the intended buffer limits, potentially accessing sensitive information or executing arbitrary code. The flaw manifests in the way the system handles media content parsing and decryption operations, where insufficient input validation permits memory access violations that can be leveraged for privilege escalation or information disclosure attacks. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read, which directly aligns with the characteristics of buffer over-read conditions. The attack surface is particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of affected Snapdragon chipsets across multiple device categories including automotive infotainment systems, smartphones, tablets, and wearables.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to gain unauthorized access to protected content and potentially compromise the entire device security architecture. Attackers could exploit this condition to extract encryption keys, access protected media content, or even execute malicious code with elevated privileges within the media processing environment. The affected hardware platforms span multiple generations of Snapdragon chipsets, indicating a broad attack surface that encompasses various device types and use cases. This vulnerability particularly affects automotive environments where Snapdragon chipsets are integrated into vehicle entertainment and communication systems, creating potential security risks for connected vehicles and their associated data. The exploitation of this flaw could lead to unauthorized access to premium content, device compromise, or even influence vehicle security systems depending on the implementation details.
Organizations and device manufacturers must implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including applying the relevant Android security patches released in April 2018. The recommended approach involves updating the affected Snapdragon chipsets with firmware and software patches that correct the buffer over-read condition in the WideVine API implementation. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling potential compromise scenarios. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing for digital rights management systems and media processing components, particularly in embedded environments where hardware and software integration creates complex attack vectors. The remediation process requires careful coordination between chipset vendors, operating system providers, and device manufacturers to ensure complete protection across all affected platforms. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential buffer over-read conditions in their media processing stacks, as similar flaws may exist in related components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, making it a significant concern for security operations centers monitoring for advanced persistent threats targeting mobile and automotive environments.