CVE-2015-9194 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 450, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 845, and Snapdragon_High_Med_2016, during module load at TZ Startup, memory statically allocated by modules was not being properly set to zero first. Allowing the module to execute without reset gives it access to information from previous app thus leading to information exposure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile chipsets affecting Android devices prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch level. The issue occurs during the Trusted Zone (TZ) startup process when modules are loaded, specifically relating to memory allocation practices that fail to properly initialize statically allocated memory regions. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that can be categorized under CWE-119 as improper initialization of memory and CWE-200 as exposure of sensitive information. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Snapdragon chipsets including the SD 210/212/205, SD 400, SD 425, SD 427, SD 430, SD 435, SD 450, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, and Snapdragon_High_Med_2016 platforms, indicating a widespread impact across multiple generations of mobile processors.
The technical flaw stems from the improper handling of memory initialization during module loading in the Trusted Execution Environment. When modules are loaded at TZ startup, the system fails to zero out statically allocated memory regions before the module executes. This allows the module to retain and potentially access residual data from previous applications or system operations that may have previously occupied that memory space. The memory regions contain information that was previously used by applications, system components, or other modules, creating a potential information exposure scenario where sensitive data could be accessed through this memory leakage. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and memory isolation that should be maintained within secure execution environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive information that may have been processed by applications or system components prior to module execution. This information exposure can include application data, user credentials, cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other confidential information that may have resided in the memory regions before they were reused. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to perform information gathering attacks, credential harvesting, or other malicious activities that leverage the leaked memory contents. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in mobile environments where devices handle sensitive personal and corporate data, making it a critical security concern for enterprise and consumer mobile security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying the relevant Android security patches released in the 2018-04-05 update cycle, which address the memory initialization issue during module loading. Organizations should ensure all affected devices receive the appropriate security updates and implement robust patch management processes to maintain device security. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for any potential exploitation attempts and consider implementing memory sanitization practices where possible. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 as it involves data from local system information disclosure, and T1059 as it relates to the execution of code in privileged environments. Device manufacturers and security teams should also consider implementing memory access monitoring and anomaly detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this class of vulnerability.