CVE-2015-9220 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile and Snapdragon Wear IPQ4019, IPQ8064, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9640, MDM9650, QCA4531, QCA6174A, QCA6574AU, QCA6584, QCA6584AU, QCA9377, QCA9378, QCA9379, QCA9558, QCA9880, QCA9886, QCA9980, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 625, SD 810, SD 820, and SDX20, integer overflow occurs when the size of the firmware section is incorrectly encoded in the firmware image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical integer overflow flaw affecting Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile and wearable chips across multiple generations including SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 425, SD 625, SD 810, SD 820, and SDX20 platforms. The issue stems from improper handling of firmware section size encoding within firmware images, creating a scenario where attackers can manipulate the firmware update process through crafted malicious firmware files. This vulnerability falls under CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows attackers to manipulate integer values beyond their maximum representable range. The flaw specifically impacts Android devices with security patch levels prior to April 5, 2018, making a substantial portion of the mobile ecosystem vulnerable to exploitation.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs during firmware image processing when the system incorrectly interprets the encoded size of firmware sections. When the firmware update mechanism encounters a malformed size field, it performs arithmetic operations that cause integer overflow, potentially resulting in buffer overflows or memory corruption. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specially designed firmware images that contain oversized size fields, causing the system to allocate insufficient memory for firmware sections or to skip critical validation steps. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enabling privilege escalation and code execution within the firmware update context, as demonstrated by the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, which can be leveraged to execute malicious code during firmware updates.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe for mobile device security, particularly given the widespread adoption of affected Qualcomm chipsets across various Android manufacturers. Device owners and organizations face risks including unauthorized firmware modifications, persistent backdoor access, and potential complete device compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, as it can be triggered through automatic firmware update processes or malicious USB connections. From a security perspective, this flaw represents a critical weakness in the firmware update security model, as it undermines the integrity verification mechanisms designed to prevent unauthorized modifications. The vulnerability affects not just individual devices but entire device fleets, particularly impacting enterprise environments where mobile device management systems rely on secure firmware update processes. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching and security assessments, as the integer overflow creates a pathway for sophisticated attacks that could bypass traditional security controls and establish persistent access to mobile platforms.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of security patches from device manufacturers, implementation of firmware integrity checking mechanisms, and enhanced monitoring of firmware update processes. Network administrators should consider implementing device authentication and authorization controls to prevent unauthorized firmware modifications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure firmware development practices and proper integer validation in embedded systems, aligning with industry standards such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO/IEC 27031 for secure system design. Organizations must also consider the broader implications for mobile device security and the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that address both software and firmware security aspects.