CVE-2015-9193 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 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, improper input validation could cause a memory overread and cause the app to crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
This vulnerability affects Android devices with specific Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets and represents a memory safety issue that could lead to application crashes through improper input validation. The flaw exists in the system's handling of input data within memory management operations, specifically affecting devices manufactured with Snapdragon chipsets including MDM9206, MDM9650, MSM8909W, and various SD series processors from SD 210 through SD 850. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as defined by CWE-20, which occurs when a program does not properly validate or sanitize input data before processing it, leading to potential memory corruption issues. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in mobile environments where memory management is critical for system stability and security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a memory overread condition that occurs when the system processes input data without adequate bounds checking. When malformed or unexpected input is received, the application or system component fails to validate the input boundaries, causing it to read memory locations beyond the intended buffer limits. This overread behavior can result in the application accessing invalid memory regions, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior and system crashes. The vulnerability affects the Android operating system's security framework and could be exploited by malicious actors to cause denial of service attacks or potentially escalate privileges. The flaw represents a classic memory safety issue that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for Denial of Service and could be leveraged as part of broader exploitation strategies targeting mobile platforms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially compromise device stability and user experience across affected Android devices. Users of these vulnerable devices may experience unexpected application failures, system instability, and potential security risks due to the memory corruption that can occur when processing malformed input. The widespread nature of the affected chipsets means that numerous Android devices across different manufacturers and models are at risk, particularly those using Snapdragon processors from the specified generations. Security researchers have identified this vulnerability as particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal application usage patterns, making it difficult to detect and prevent without proper input validation measures. The vulnerability's potential for exploitation increases when combined with other security flaws in the system, as it could provide a foothold for more sophisticated attacks targeting the Android platform's security architecture.
Organizations and users should prioritize applying the relevant security patches released by Qualcomm and Android vendors to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategies include updating to Android security patch levels released after April 5, 2018, and ensuring that device firmware and applications are current with the latest security updates. System administrators should implement input validation controls at multiple layers of the application stack to prevent similar issues from occurring in custom applications. Device manufacturers should conduct thorough security testing of their applications and system components to identify potential input validation gaps that could lead to memory safety issues. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper memory management practices and input sanitization in mobile operating systems, particularly in environments where multiple applications interact with shared system resources. This issue demonstrates the ongoing need for robust security practices in mobile platforms and the critical importance of timely security updates to protect against known vulnerabilities that could be exploited by threat actors.