CVE-2015-9170
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability is a buffer overread in Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets used in Android devices, allowing attackers to read memory beyond allocated buffers. It affects Android devices with specific Qualcomm chipsets before the April 2018 security patch. Successful exploitation could lead to information disclosure or potentially remote code execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets: MDM9206, MDM9650, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, SD 850
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete device compromise, data theft, and persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Information disclosure of sensitive memory contents, potentially including cryptographic keys or user data.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation and device isolation, though information disclosure risk remains.
🎯 Exploit Status
Buffer overread vulnerabilities typically require specific conditions to trigger and may need additional vulnerabilities for full exploitation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Android security patch level April 5, 2018 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2018-04-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check device security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android security patch level. 2. If before April 2018, install latest available system update. 3. For enterprise devices, push updates through MDM solution. 4. Restart device after update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network segmentation and filtering
allRestrict device network access to prevent exposure to potential exploit vectors
Application whitelisting
androidOnly allow installation of trusted applications from verified sources
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected devices on separate network segments with strict firewall rules
- Implement mobile device management (MDM) with strict security policies and monitoring
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android security patch level. If date is before April 2018, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify security patch level shows April 2018 or later after applying updates.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel crashes or unexpected process terminations
- Memory access violations in system logs
- Unusual process memory usage patterns
Network Indicators:
- Suspicious network traffic to/from affected devices
- Unexpected outbound connections from mobile devices
SIEM Query:
source="android_device" AND (event_type="crash" OR event_type="memory_violation") AND timestamp>="2018-04-05"