CVE-2015-9206 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 650/52, SD 808, and SD 810, during XML encoding of a message in the Playready module, a buffer overread may occur if the message passed is large.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9206 represents a critical buffer overread condition affecting Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile processors across multiple generations including MSM8909W, SD 210/212/205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 615/16/415, SD 617, SD 650/52, SD 808, and SD 810. This flaw exists within the Playready module responsible for handling digital rights management operations in Android devices. The vulnerability manifests specifically during XML encoding processes when processing large messages, creating an opportunity for attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code or cause system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the XML encoding routine of the Playready module. When the module receives a large message exceeding expected buffer dimensions, the encoding process continues beyond allocated memory boundaries, resulting in memory corruption. This type of flaw falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient checking of the length of input data, and more broadly aligns with CWE-125, representing out-of-bounds read conditions. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007, where adversaries may leverage memory corruption vulnerabilities to execute code through malformed input processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as it creates potential entry points for sophisticated attacks targeting mobile device security. Attackers could exploit this condition by crafting specially formatted XML messages that trigger the buffer overread during Playready processing, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or complete device compromise. The widespread adoption of affected Qualcomm chipsets across various Android device manufacturers means that a significant portion of the mobile ecosystem remains vulnerable. This vulnerability particularly affects devices running Android versions prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch level, indicating that the flaw existed for several years without proper mitigation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9206 primarily focus on applying the appropriate security patches released by device manufacturers following the Android security bulletin. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of the relevant security updates, particularly for devices utilizing the affected Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. Additionally, implementing network-based monitoring solutions can help detect potential exploitation attempts through anomalous XML processing patterns. Device administrators should consider disabling unnecessary Playready functionality when not required, reducing the attack surface. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of comprehensive input validation and bounds checking in security-critical modules, particularly those handling digital rights management protocols that process untrusted data from multiple sources.