CVE-2014-7252 in REGZA Phone T-01D
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in the Syslink driver for Texas Instruments OMAP mobile processor, as used on NTT DOCOMO ARROWS Tab LTE F-01D, ARROWS X LTE F-05D, Disney Mobile on docomo F-08D, REGZA Phone T-01D, and PRADA phone by LG L-02D; and SoftBank SHARP handsets 102SH allow local users to execute arbitrary code or read kernel memory via unknown vectors related to userland data and "improper data validation."
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7252 affects the Syslink driver component within Texas Instruments OMAP mobile processors, specifically impacting devices manufactured by NTT DOCOMO, LG, and SoftBank. This driver serves as a critical interface between user-space applications and kernel-space operations, facilitating communication between different processing domains within the mobile platform architecture. The affected devices include various tablet and smartphone models that utilize the OMAP processor family, making this a widespread concern across multiple device manufacturers and carrier deployments.
The technical flaw stems from improper data validation mechanisms within the Syslink driver implementation, creating opportunities for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability manifests through unknown vectors that involve userland data manipulation and kernel memory access patterns. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in data validation that can lead to code execution and information disclosure. The improper validation allows malicious applications or compromised processes to craft specially formatted data that bypasses normal security checks, ultimately enabling unauthorized access to kernel memory regions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides local attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, effectively compromising the entire system security model. This type of vulnerability can be exploited by malicious applications already present on the device or through social engineering attacks that trick users into installing compromised software. The ability to read kernel memory creates additional risks including information disclosure of sensitive data such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, and system configuration details. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these devices are widely deployed in enterprise and consumer environments where they handle sensitive personal and business data.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates from device manufacturers, as the vulnerability exists within the hardware driver layer that requires specific patches to address the improper validation flaws. Organizations should implement application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized code execution and monitor for suspicious kernel memory access patterns. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, where adversaries can leverage the driver flaw to maintain persistent access. Network administrators should also consider implementing device management policies that enforce regular security updates and monitor for indicators of compromise related to kernel memory access anomalies. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure driver development practices and comprehensive security testing of system-level components that interface with kernel space operations.