CVE-2014-7952 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The backup mechanism in the adb tool in Android might allow attackers to inject additional applications (APKs) and execute arbitrary code by leveraging failure to filter application data streams.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7952 resides within the android debug bridge adb tool's backup mechanism, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of android device protection models. This issue specifically affects android versions prior to 5.0 and stems from inadequate input validation within the backup protocol implementation. The vulnerability manifests when the adb backup process fails to properly sanitize application data streams, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate the backup process and inject unauthorized applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental design flaw in how adb handles application data during backup operations. When an application creates a backup archive, the system does not adequately validate the integrity of the data stream, allowing attackers to craft malicious data that bypasses normal security checks. This weakness enables the injection of arbitrary apk files into the backup process, which can then be executed on the target device during restoration. The flaw operates at the protocol level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring device rooting or other advanced attack vectors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to android device security and user privacy. Attackers can leverage this flaw to inject malware, backdoors, or other malicious applications into the backup data stream, potentially compromising entire device ecosystems. The impact extends beyond individual device security to encompass potential data exfiltration, persistent malware installation, and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored on the device. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete device compromise, especially when combined with other attack vectors or when targeting devices with weak security configurations.
The attack surface for CVE-2014-7952 aligns with several attack patterns documented in the attack tree framework, particularly those involving data injection and protocol manipulation techniques. This vulnerability maps to CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and CWE-94, which covers external control of code generation. The security implications extend to the broader android security model, as it undermines the trust model between the device and the backup system. Organizations and users should implement immediate mitigations including disabling adb backup functionality, updating to android 5.0 or later versions, and employing network-level controls to prevent unauthorized access to adb services. Additionally, security monitoring should focus on detecting anomalous backup activities and unauthorized application installations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure protocol implementation and proper data stream validation in mobile operating systems, serving as a reminder that even seemingly benign backup mechanisms can become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented.