CVE-2015-9209 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9615, 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 835, SD 845, SD 850, and SDX20, there is improper access control in a file storage API.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
This vulnerability exists within the Android operating system's file storage API implementation on Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile and wearable chipsets. The issue stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized applications to bypass normal file system permissions and access restricted data. The flaw affects a broad range of Qualcomm Snapdragon processors including the MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9615, and numerous other models spanning the SD 200, SD 400, SD 600, and SD 800 series. According to CWE-284, this represents a weakness in access control where the system fails to properly enforce authorization checks on file operations. The vulnerability enables malicious applications to read, modify, or delete files that should be restricted to specific applications or system processes, creating a significant escalation of privileges risk.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in how the file storage API handles permission validation during file operations. When applications attempt to access files through the storage interface, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting application has adequate privileges to perform the requested operation. This improper access control allows applications to exploit the API and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data stored in protected file locations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the foundational storage mechanisms that applications rely upon for data persistence and communication. From an ATT&CK perspective, this maps to privilege escalation techniques where adversaries can leverage system-level weaknesses to gain elevated access to resources that should be protected. The vulnerability exists across multiple generations of Snapdragon chipsets, indicating a systemic issue within Qualcomm's implementation of Android storage services rather than a localized problem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access violations to potentially compromise entire device security postures. Attackers could exploit this weakness to access sensitive user data, personal documents, application databases, and potentially system configuration files that contain authentication credentials or encryption keys. The vulnerability affects devices with security patch levels prior to April 5, 2018, meaning that millions of Android devices worldwide could be impacted. This weakness creates opportunities for persistent threats to establish footholds on devices and maintain long-term access. The broad chipset compatibility means that the vulnerability affects not just smartphones but also wearable devices, tablets, and other mobile platforms that utilize these Qualcomm processors. Security researchers have noted that such access control flaws often serve as initial entry points for more sophisticated attacks, where adversaries can use the compromised storage access to gather intelligence or deploy additional malware components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android devices through official security updates from device manufacturers. Organizations should ensure that all affected devices receive the April 2018 security patch or later versions that address this access control weakness. System administrators should implement comprehensive device management policies that enforce automatic security updates and monitor for compliance across enterprise fleets. From a defensive standpoint, application developers should implement additional runtime checks for file access operations and avoid relying solely on the underlying operating system's access controls. Network security teams should monitor for suspicious file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where mobile devices connect to corporate networks. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices in mobile operating system components, as highlighted in industry standards that emphasize the need for proper input validation and access control enforcement in system-level APIs. Device manufacturers should conduct thorough security testing of storage APIs and implement robust access control mechanisms that prevent unauthorized data access across all supported hardware platforms.