CVE-2015-9179 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile MSM8974, lack of length checking in OEMCrypto_DeriveKeysFromSessionKey() could lead to a buffer overflow vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9179 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile MSM8974 chipset's OEMCrypto_DeriveKeysFromSessionKey() function. This issue affects Android devices that have not received the security patch released on April 5, 2018, or earlier versions of the Android operating system. The vulnerability resides in the cryptographic key derivation process that occurs during secure content playback operations, particularly impacting devices utilizing Qualcomm's hardware security modules.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation within the OEMCrypto_DeriveKeysFromSessionKey() function which fails to properly check the length of data being processed during cryptographic key derivation. When maliciously crafted data is passed to this function, the absence of proper bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the secure environment. This vulnerability specifically affects the hardware-based encryption and decryption processes that occur during media playback, particularly when handling Widevine DRM content. The flaw operates at the intersection of hardware security and software cryptography, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited to bypass hardware security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it represents a significant threat to the integrity of Android's secure media playback system. Attackers could potentially exploit this buffer overflow to execute malicious code within the trusted execution environment, compromising the entire device's security posture. The vulnerability affects devices that rely on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 800 series processors, which were widely deployed in smartphones and tablets from 2013 through 2016. The exploitation of this flaw could enable attackers to gain persistent access to encrypted content, potentially leading to unauthorized media distribution or the installation of persistent malware that operates outside the normal operating system boundaries.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9179 primarily focus on applying the relevant security patches released by Google and Qualcomm, which include updated versions of the OEMCrypto library and associated cryptographic components. Organizations and device manufacturers should ensure that all affected devices receive the April 2018 security update or later patches that address the buffer overflow in the OEMCrypto_DeriveKeysFromSessionKey() function. Additionally, network administrators should implement monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with cryptographic operations, as this vulnerability could be used in conjunction with other attack vectors to compromise device security. The fix typically involves implementing proper input validation and bounds checking within the cryptographic functions, aligning with common security practices outlined in the CWE-129 weakness classification for improper input validation. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in hardware security modules and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through scripting languages, as the overflow could potentially be leveraged to execute malicious payloads within the secure environment.