CVE-2014-3164 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
cmds/servicemanager/service_manager.c in Android before commit 7d42a3c31ba78a418f9bdde0e0ab951469f321b5 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference, or out-of-bounds write) via vectors related to binder passed lengths.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3164 resides within the Android operating system's service manager component, specifically in the file cmds/servicemanager/service_manager.c. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that affects Android versions prior to the commit 7d42a3c31ba78a418f9bdde0e0ab951469f321b5. The vulnerability manifests through improper handling of binder communication mechanisms that Android employs for inter-process communication between system components and applications. The binder driver serves as the foundational communication layer enabling processes to exchange data and commands within the Android framework, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can compromise the core system functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of passed lengths within the binder communication protocol. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious binder transactions that contain malformed length parameters, which subsequently trigger either a NULL pointer dereference or an out-of-bounds write condition. These types of memory corruption issues occur when the service manager fails to properly validate input parameters before processing them, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the binder driver's behavior. The vulnerability specifically targets the service manager's handling of binder transaction data, where it processes incoming messages without sufficient bounds checking on the length fields that specify how much data should be read or written.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3164 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the Android environment. When a NULL pointer dereference occurs, the service manager process crashes and restarts, leading to temporary system unavailability that can disrupt critical services such as telephony, messaging, or other system components that depend on the service manager. However, the more concerning aspect is the potential for out-of-bounds write conditions which could allow attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability affects the core Android framework's stability and can be leveraged by malicious applications or attackers with access to the device to compromise the entire system's integrity. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges and can be exploited through legitimate system interfaces, making it difficult to detect and prevent.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3164 involve implementing proper input validation and bounds checking within the service manager's binder transaction handling code. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize applying the security patches that include the commit 7d42a3c31ba78a418f9bdde0e0ab951469f321b5, which introduces proper validation of passed lengths and prevents the exploitation of malformed binder transaction data. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can help mitigate potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider deploying application whitelisting policies and monitoring for unusual binder transaction patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read and CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, both of which are classified as high-risk memory corruption vulnerabilities. The attack surface for this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001: Command and Scripting Interpreter - PowerShell, although the actual exploitation occurs at the kernel level through binder communication rather than user-level scripting. Regular security updates and patch management processes are essential to prevent exploitation of this class of vulnerabilities that can compromise the fundamental security of mobile operating systems.