CVE-2014-7919 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
b/libs/gui/ISurfaceComposer.cpp in Android allows attackers to trigger a denial of service (null pointer dereference and process crash).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7919 resides within the Android operating system's graphics subsystem, specifically in the ISurfaceComposer.cpp file located in the b/libs/gui/ directory. This flaw represents a critical security issue that affects the Android framework's ability to manage graphical surfaces and compositing operations. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes certain surface composition requests that lead to improper memory management and handling of null pointers within the graphics rendering pipeline. This particular implementation flaw demonstrates a failure in input validation and error handling mechanisms that are fundamental to maintaining system stability and preventing unauthorized access patterns.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when malicious applications or processes attempt to manipulate surface composition parameters in ways that cause the ISurfaceComposer implementation to dereference null pointers during the graphical rendering process. This null pointer dereference leads to immediate process termination and subsequent system instability, creating a denial of service condition that can affect the entire graphical user interface framework. The flaw operates at the system-level interface between application frameworks and the underlying graphics compositor, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through legitimate system interfaces without requiring elevated privileges. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-476 which describes null pointer dereference conditions that can lead to system crashes and denial of service scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-7919 extends beyond simple system instability to potentially compromise the overall security posture of Android devices. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause complete system hangs, forcing users to perform manual restarts and potentially disrupting critical services that depend on the graphical subsystem. Attackers could leverage this weakness to repeatedly crash system processes, creating persistent denial of service conditions that degrade device functionality. The vulnerability affects all Android versions that include the affected ISurfaceComposer implementation, making it particularly concerning for widespread deployment. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service, as it can be used to disrupt normal system operations and potentially create opportunities for further exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-7919 should focus on implementing robust input validation and null pointer checking within the graphics subsystem. Android security updates typically address this by adding proper null checks before pointer dereference operations and implementing more graceful error handling mechanisms. System administrators should ensure that all Android devices receive timely security patches, particularly those targeting the graphics framework components. Additionally, implementing application sandboxing and monitoring mechanisms can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices in system-level components, particularly those handling inter-process communication and resource management. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect anomalous patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts targeting this specific denial of service condition.