CVE-2015-9181 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 MSM8909W, 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, and SD 835, in a crypto 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-2015-9181 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within the cryptographic application programming interface of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets used in various Android devices. This vulnerability affects a broad range of Qualcomm automotive and mobile platforms including the MSM8909W, SD 210/212/205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, and SD 835 processors. The flaw exists within the cryptographic API implementation that handles secure data processing operations, making it a significant concern for device security and data protection. This vulnerability was disclosed before the Android security patch level of April 5, 2018, indicating that affected devices would require security updates to remediate the issue.
The technical nature of this buffer over-read vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the cryptographic functions of the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. When processing cryptographic operations, the system fails to properly validate buffer boundaries, allowing an attacker to read data from memory locations beyond the allocated buffer space. This type of flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions. The vulnerability can be exploited through malicious applications that leverage the cryptographic API to trigger the buffer over-read condition, potentially leading to information disclosure or system instability. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the hardware-software interface level where cryptographic operations are performed, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional software-level security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-9181 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can enable sophisticated attack vectors that compromise the integrity of cryptographic operations. Attackers could potentially extract sensitive information such as encryption keys, cryptographic salts, or other confidential data that resides in adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability affects devices that rely on Qualcomm's cryptographic implementations for secure communications, authentication, and data protection, making it particularly concerning for automotive systems where security is paramount. This flaw creates opportunities for attackers to perform advanced persistent threats or conduct targeted attacks against vulnerable automotive infotainment systems and mobile devices that utilize these Snapdragon chipsets. The widespread adoption of these chipsets across various device categories means that the potential attack surface is extensive, affecting both consumer electronics and automotive applications that depend on Qualcomm's secure processing capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9181 primarily focus on applying the appropriate Android security patches released by Qualcomm and device manufacturers. Organizations and users should ensure their devices receive the April 2018 security update or later patches that specifically address this buffer over-read vulnerability in the cryptographic API. Device manufacturers must implement proper input validation and bounds checking within their cryptographic implementations to prevent similar issues from occurring in future releases. Security researchers and developers should also consider implementing additional runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and memory protection mechanisms to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough security testing for cryptographic implementations, particularly those operating at the hardware level where traditional software security measures may be insufficient. Compliance with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 for cryptographic key management and implementation practices can help prevent similar buffer over-read conditions in future developments. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments of their automotive and mobile systems to identify potential vulnerabilities in cryptographic implementations and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place to maintain system integrity.