CVE-2014-9783 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
drivers/media/platform/msm/camera_v2/sensor/cci/msm_cci.c in the Qualcomm components in Android before 2016-07-05 on Nexus 7 (2013) devices does not validate certain values, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 28441831 and Qualcomm internal bug CR511382.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9783 resides within the Qualcomm components of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Nexus 7 (2013) devices running Android versions prior to 2016-07-05. This flaw exists in the msm_cci.c driver file which manages camera sensor communication through the Camera Command Interface protocol. The vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation issue that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the kernel-level driver responsible for camera sensor control. The affected code path processes certain values without proper validation checks, creating a potential attack vector for malicious applications to exploit.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of proper parameter validation within the camera sensor communication interface, allowing attackers to manipulate specific control values that should be restricted or validated. This vulnerability falls under CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-20 Improper Input Validation, representing a classic case where insufficient bounds checking and value validation permits unauthorized access to privileged system resources. The flaw enables attackers to craft malicious applications that can manipulate the camera sensor communication protocol to gain elevated privileges within the system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level within the Qualcomm MSM camera subsystem, providing attackers with direct access to sensitive hardware control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to escalate privileges from regular application level access to kernel-level privileges, potentially enabling full system compromise. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to gain root access, modify system files, install malicious software, or extract sensitive data from the device. The vulnerability affects devices running Android versions before the specified patch date, making older Nexus 7 devices particularly susceptible to exploitation. The attack requires only a crafted application to be installed and executed, making it a low-barrier privilege escalation vector that could be exploited by malicious actors without requiring physical access to the device or specialized equipment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include applying the relevant security patches released by Google and Qualcomm, which address the input validation issues within the msm_cci.c driver. System administrators should ensure all devices are updated to Android versions released after 2016-07-05, which contain the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper application vetting procedures to prevent malicious applications from being installed on devices, particularly those with access to camera hardware. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 Privilege Escalation and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to escalate privileges through kernel-level exploitation. Device manufacturers and security teams should also consider implementing runtime monitoring of camera sensor communication protocols to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts.