CVE-2015-9183 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile SD 410/12, SD 617, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, and SD 810, in TQS QSEE application, while parsing "Set Certificates" command an integer overflow may result in buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9183 represents a critical security flaw affecting Android devices powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, specifically targeting the TrustZone Security Extensions Environment QSEE application. This vulnerability exists within the mobile security framework that governs how cryptographic certificates are processed and validated on these devices. The issue manifests in devices running Android versions prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch level, making a substantial portion of the mobile device ecosystem vulnerable to exploitation. The affected processor families include the Snapdragon SD 410/12, SD 617, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, and SD 810 chipsets, which were widely deployed across numerous smartphone and tablet models from various manufacturers during the mid-2010s.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in an integer overflow condition that occurs during the parsing of the "Set Certificates" command within the TQS QSEE application. When processing certificate data, the application fails to properly validate or constrain integer values, leading to a scenario where a carefully crafted input can cause an integer to exceed its maximum representable value, subsequently wrapping around to a much smaller value. This overflow condition directly results in a buffer overflow vulnerability, where the application attempts to write data beyond the bounds of allocated memory buffers. The flaw is categorized under CWE-190 as an integer overflow vulnerability, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that frequently leads to memory corruption and potential code execution exploits. The buffer overflow condition creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate memory contents and potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges within the secure execution environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it compromises the fundamental security guarantees provided by the Trusted Execution Environment. Attackers who can exploit this vulnerability gain access to the secure element where sensitive cryptographic operations and certificate management occur, potentially enabling them to bypass device security mechanisms, extract encryption keys, or manipulate digital certificates used for device authentication. This represents a significant threat to device integrity and user privacy, as the exploitation could allow for persistent backdoor access or complete device compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the QSEE application, which is responsible for managing secure cryptographic operations and maintaining the integrity of the device's security infrastructure. According to ATT&CK framework techniques, this vulnerability maps to T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) and T1548.001 (Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism), as it allows for privilege escalation within the secure execution environment and potentially enables further attacks against the device's core security features.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of the security patches released by Qualcomm and device manufacturers, as well as comprehensive device updates to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary fixes. Organizations should prioritize patch management for devices running vulnerable Android versions, particularly those using the affected Snapdragon processor families. The fix typically involves implementing proper integer validation and bounds checking within the certificate parsing routines, ensuring that input values are properly constrained to prevent overflow conditions. Additionally, network administrators and security teams should monitor for potential exploitation attempts through anomaly detection systems that can identify unusual certificate processing patterns or buffer overflow indicators. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing additional runtime protections and memory corruption detection mechanisms to provide defense-in-depth against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems and the necessity of thorough security testing for components that handle cryptographic operations and sensitive data processing within mobile device security frameworks.