CVE-2015-9198 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 IPQ4019, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9625, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9645, MDM9650, MDM9655, 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, SD 850, and SDX20, integer underflow vulnerability in function qsee_register_log_buff may lead to arbitrary writing of secure memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9198 represents a critical integer underflow flaw within the Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform ecosystems, affecting Android devices released prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch level. This vulnerability resides in the qsee_register_log_buff function, which operates within the secure execution environment of Qualcomm's hardware security modules. The flaw manifests when the function processes memory buffer registration operations, specifically in scenarios where integer underflow conditions occur during arithmetic operations involving buffer size calculations. The underlying issue stems from inadequate input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the secure firmware components that govern memory management operations. This vulnerability affects a broad range of Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets including automotive platforms like IPQ4019 and MDM9206, along with mobile processors such as the 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, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850, and SDX20 processors, creating a widespread impact across multiple device categories.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific sequence of operations where an attacker can manipulate input parameters to cause integer underflow conditions during buffer registration processes. When the qsee_register_log_buff function processes a maliciously crafted buffer size parameter, the arithmetic operation that calculates the actual buffer boundaries results in an underflow condition, causing the system to interpret the buffer size as a negative value or extremely large positive value. This misinterpretation allows for memory pointer arithmetic to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, effectively enabling arbitrary memory writing operations within the secure execution environment. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-191 as Integer Underflow (Wrap or Wraparound) and falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter - PowerShell, though the exploitation mechanism is more accurately categorized as a memory corruption vulnerability. The underlying root cause involves insufficient validation of integer parameters within the secure firmware, where the system fails to properly check for negative values or overflow conditions that could result in unauthorized memory access patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the secure execution environment on Qualcomm-based devices. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can potentially write arbitrary data to secure memory regions, which may include sensitive cryptographic keys, secure boot parameters, or other critical system components that are protected by the Trusted Execution Environment. This capability enables sophisticated attacks such as secure boot bypass, firmware modification, or privilege escalation attacks that could ultimately lead to full device compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for automotive applications where the Snapdragon Automobile platforms are deployed, as it could potentially affect vehicle security systems, infotainment systems, or even safety-critical components that rely on secure memory operations. The exploitation of this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain persistent access to device firmware, potentially allowing for long-term surveillance or control of automotive systems. Additionally, the widespread nature of affected chipsets means that millions of devices across multiple manufacturers could be potentially compromised, creating a significant attack surface that extends from consumer smartphones to enterprise devices and automotive systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9198 require immediate implementation of the security patches released by Qualcomm and device manufacturers, which address the integer underflow condition through proper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected devices to the latest security patch levels, particularly focusing on automotive systems where the vulnerability poses the greatest risk to safety and security. System administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, and conduct thorough security assessments of automotive and mobile platforms to identify potential indirect impacts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper integer validation in firmware development, particularly for security-critical components. Device manufacturers should implement additional runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and memory protection mechanisms to further reduce the exploitation risk. Security teams should also consider implementing device enrollment and remote management capabilities to enable rapid patch deployment and security monitoring across large fleets of affected devices. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of firmware security in automotive and mobile environments, where hardware-level vulnerabilities can have far-reaching consequences beyond traditional software security boundaries.