CVE-2015-9201 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 600, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, and SDX20, integer overflow in tzbsp can lead to privilege escalation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9201 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the trusted execution environment of Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platforms. This issue affects Android devices released before the 2018-04-05 security patch level and impacts a wide range of Qualcomm chipsets including the Snapdragon Automotive, Mobile, and Wear platforms. The vulnerability resides in the tzbsp component, which serves as a crucial bridge between the secure world and the normal world within Qualcomm's TrustZone architecture, making it a prime target for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical flaw manifests as an integer overflow condition within the tzbsp module, which operates within the secure execution environment of Qualcomm's SoCs. When processing certain inputs, the module fails to properly validate integer values, leading to a situation where arithmetic operations exceed the maximum representable value for the data type. This overflow condition creates a scenario where attackers can manipulate memory layouts and control flow within the secure execution environment, ultimately enabling privilege escalation from normal world to secure world access. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation in trusted execution environments can compromise system security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system components and data that should remain protected within the secure execution environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to bypass security measures, access cryptographic keys, extract sensitive information, or even modify system behavior in ways that could compromise the entire device. The widespread nature of affected chipsets means that millions of devices could potentially be vulnerable, making this a high-impact issue for automotive systems where security is paramount. This vulnerability maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, and T1548, Abuse of Systemd Service, as it enables attackers to gain elevated privileges and potentially manipulate system services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9201 require immediate deployment of security patches provided by Qualcomm and device manufacturers, with particular emphasis on ensuring that all affected Snapdragon chipsets receive the necessary firmware updates. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management programs that include regular security assessments of automotive and mobile platforms, along with continuous monitoring for similar integer overflow conditions in other secure execution environment components. Device manufacturers must prioritize secure coding practices and robust input validation mechanisms within trusted execution environments, particularly when dealing with integer arithmetic operations. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining proper audit logging to track access patterns within secure execution environments. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in automotive and mobile systems where the compromise of secure execution environments can have severe consequences for both privacy and safety.