CVE-2014-9781 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in drivers/video/fbcmap.c in the Qualcomm components in Android before 2016-07-05 on Nexus 7 (2013) devices allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 28410333 and Qualcomm internal bug CR556471.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-9781 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the framebuffer color map driver component of Android operating systems. This issue specifically affects the Qualcomm components used in Nexus 7 (2013) devices and was present in Android versions prior to the 2016-07-05 security update. The flaw exists in the drivers/video/fbcmap.c file, which handles color mapping operations for framebuffer devices, making it a direct target for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the color map handling code, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious applications to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how kernel-level drivers can become attack vectors for privilege escalation attacks. The issue was tracked internally by Android as bug 28410333 and by Qualcomm as CR556471, indicating the severity and complexity of the problem.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when a crafted application attempts to manipulate the framebuffer color map functionality through improper input handling. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of user-supplied data when processing color map operations, allowing an attacker to write beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This overflow can overwrite adjacent memory locations including critical control structures, function pointers, or return addresses, enabling attackers to redirect execution flow and gain elevated privileges. The attack vector requires a malicious application to be installed on the target device, as the vulnerability is exploited through the Android application framework rather than requiring physical access or specialized hardware. The exploitation process typically involves carefully crafted input data that triggers the buffer overflow condition, followed by execution of shellcode or other malicious code within the context of the privileged driver process. This represents a sophisticated attack pattern that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and demonstrates how vulnerabilities in system drivers can be leveraged to bypass Android's security model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of affected Android devices. Once successfully exploited, attackers can gain root access to the device, enabling them to modify system files, install persistent backdoors, access sensitive data, and potentially control device functions such as network communications and camera operations. The affected Nexus 7 (2013) devices represent a significant portion of the Android user base at the time of discovery, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous from a threat perspective. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple Android versions and its targeted nature make it an attractive attack vector for both malicious actors and nation-state threat groups. Organizations and users who failed to apply the relevant security patches were exposed to sophisticated attacks that could result in complete device compromise and data theft. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation in kernel-level drivers and demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in system components can have severe consequences for overall device security. The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK tactic T1059, which covers 'Command and Scripting Interpreter', as attackers could leverage the elevated privileges to execute arbitrary commands on the compromised device. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for comprehensive security testing of kernel components and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all Android devices.