CVE-2014-10059 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile MDM9615, MDM9625, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, and SD 800, improper access control on ATCMD service allows third party services to access without user knowledge.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-10059 represents a critical access control flaw within the Android operating system affecting devices powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets. This weakness resides in the ATCMD service implementation which governs communication between the Android framework and the modem subsystem. The vulnerability specifically impacts devices containing Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile MDM9615, MDM9625, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, and SD 800 processors. The flaw allows unauthorized third-party applications to gain access to modem functionality without proper user consent or awareness, creating a significant security risk that persists across multiple generations of Qualcomm's mobile platform architecture.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms within the ATCMD service interface. This service operates at a privileged level within the Android security model, typically requiring proper authorization before granting access to modem control functions. However, the implementation fails to properly validate incoming requests, allowing malicious applications to exploit the service through improper access control checks. The vulnerability manifests as a failure to enforce proper security boundaries between different application contexts, enabling arbitrary code execution within the modem domain. This flaw directly maps to CWE-284 which describes improper access control vulnerabilities, and specifically aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through service manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential full system compromise. Third-party applications can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary commands on the modem, potentially gaining access to sensitive communication data, modifying network configurations, or even disabling critical cellular connectivity functions. The implications are particularly severe given that this vulnerability affects devices that may be in use for extended periods without security updates, particularly in enterprise environments where mobile device management policies may not effectively address such low-level system vulnerabilities. Attackers could utilize this weakness to perform persistent surveillance, intercept communications, or create backdoors within mobile devices that remain undetected by standard security monitoring tools.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Android versions with the appropriate security updates released by device manufacturers. Organizations should prioritize updating devices to security patch levels released after April 5 2018, which contain the necessary fixes for the ATCMD service access control implementation. Device manufacturers must ensure that proper firmware updates are distributed to all affected hardware platforms, as the vulnerability affects multiple generations of Qualcomm chipsets. Additionally security professionals should implement monitoring for unauthorized modem access patterns and consider deploying mobile device management solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation of such low-level vulnerabilities. The remediation process must also include verification of proper access controls through security audits of system services and implementation of proper privilege separation mechanisms to prevent similar issues from emerging in future software implementations.