CVE-2014-9780 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
drivers/video/msm/mdss/mdp3_ctrl.c in the Qualcomm components in Android before 2016-07-05 on Nexus 5, 5X, and 6P devices does not validate start and length values, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 28602014 and Qualcomm internal bug CR542222.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-9780 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Qualcomm multimedia display subsystem components of Android operating systems. This issue specifically affects devices including the Nexus 5, 5X, and 6P models and was present in Android versions prior to the 2016-07-05 security patch release. The vulnerability resides in the mdss/mdp3_ctrl.c driver file which forms part of the Qualcomm MSM (Mobile Services Module) graphics stack responsible for managing display controller operations. This flaw constitutes a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation mechanisms within the kernel-level graphics driver component.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of start and length parameters within the display controller driver interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious applications that manipulate these unvalidated parameters to gain elevated privileges within the system. The flaw operates at the kernel level where display controller operations are handled, making it particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to bypass normal security boundaries and execute code with system-level privileges. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and CWE-131, which addresses improper handling of length parameters. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and specifically addresses kernel-level privilege escalation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete control over the device's display subsystem and potentially broader system access. Since the affected devices were popular consumer smartphones, the attack surface was extensive with millions of potentially vulnerable devices in the wild. The vulnerability's presence in the graphics driver layer means that successful exploitation could result in persistent backdoor access, data exfiltration, or complete device compromise. The fact that this issue was present in devices that were widely distributed and had significant user bases created a substantial risk for widespread exploitation. The vulnerability's classification as an Android internal bug (28602014) and Qualcomm internal bug (CR542222) indicates that it was recognized by both vendors but required coordinated patching efforts to resolve effectively. This particular vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in kernel-level drivers and the potential consequences when such validation is omitted or insufficiently implemented in security-sensitive components.