CVE-2015-9199 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Automobile and Snapdragon Mobile IPQ4019, MDM9625, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9650, MDM9655, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, and SD 820A, A non-secure region check is done while registering QSEE buffer address which is passed by HLOS but not while logging in the QSEE buffer, so corruption of dynamically protected secure region can occur if the non-secure buffer is changed between the time it's checked and when it's used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-9199 represents a critical security flaw within Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platform architectures that affects Android devices released before the 2018-04-05 security patch level. This issue specifically targets the Qualcomm Secure Execution Environment (QSEE) buffer management system where a fundamental security check is performed inconsistently during the buffer registration process. The flaw occurs in hardware platforms including Snapdragon Automobile and Snapdragon Mobile IPQ4019, MDM9625, MDM9635M, MDM9640, MDM9650, MDM9655, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, and SD 820A chipsets. The vulnerability stems from a design weakness where the system performs a non-secure region validation only during the initial registration phase of QSEE buffers but fails to validate the same buffer address during the logging phase, creating a window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a race condition between buffer validation and buffer usage within the secure execution environment. When the HLOS (High Level Operating System) passes QSEE buffer addresses to the secure region, the system performs a security check to ensure these addresses do not point to non-secure memory regions. However, the same validation does not occur during the subsequent logging process when these buffers are actually utilized. This inconsistency allows for potential buffer corruption scenarios where an attacker could modify the buffer address between the initial validation and the actual buffer usage, thereby bypassing the security protections intended for the secure region. The vulnerability specifically targets the dynamic protection mechanisms that are supposed to prevent unauthorized access to secure memory regions, creating a potential pathway for privilege escalation and secure memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple buffer corruption, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive secure execution environment resources. The flaw essentially creates a security boundary violation where the integrity of the secure region can be compromised through manipulation of buffer addresses during the registration-to-usage window. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in automotive applications where the Snapdragon platforms are used, as it could potentially allow attackers to compromise vehicle security systems, access sensitive data, or execute unauthorized code within the secure execution environment. The vulnerability also affects mobile platforms where the secure execution environment is critical for protecting sensitive operations such as biometric authentication, cryptographic key storage, and secure communication protocols.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected devices to the 2018-04-05 security patch level or newer versions that implement consistent buffer validation throughout the entire QSEE buffer lifecycle. Device manufacturers and carriers must ensure that all affected Snapdragon platforms receive the necessary security updates to address this race condition in buffer validation. System administrators should monitor for compliance with security patches and consider implementing additional monitoring for anomalous buffer access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-367 weakness category, specifically addressing Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) race conditions, and represents a potential threat vector for ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in the operating system or applications to gain elevated privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing memory protection mechanisms and runtime monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific buffer management flaw.