CVE-2014-9787 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in drivers/misc/qseecom.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 28571496 and Qualcomm internal bug CR545764.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9787 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the Qualcomm Secure Execution Environment (QSEE) communication driver component. This issue specifically affects Android versions prior to 2016-07-05 and is particularly impactful on Nexus 7 (2013) devices. The vulnerability resides in the drivers/misc/qseecom.c file which serves as a crucial interface between the Android operating system and Qualcomm's secure execution environment. The flaw enables attackers to escalate privileges through carefully crafted applications that exploit the overflow condition during data processing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer values within the driver's memory allocation and data transfer mechanisms. When a malicious application sends specially crafted data to the qseecom driver, the integer overflow occurs during calculations involving buffer sizes or memory allocation parameters. This overflow corrupts adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite critical system data structures or execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass standard Android security mechanisms and escalate from user-mode to kernel-mode execution. According to CWE-190, this represents a classic integer overflow condition that can lead to memory corruption and privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with access to the secure execution environment that typically protects sensitive operations such as cryptographic key handling, secure boot processes, and hardware-level security functions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to secure storage areas, extract cryptographic keys, modify secure system components, or even compromise the entire device's security posture. The vulnerability affects devices running Android versions before the specified patch date, making older Nexus 7 (2013) devices particularly susceptible. The attack vector requires only a malicious application that can be installed on the device, making it accessible through various distribution channels including third-party app stores or social engineering attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected Android versions, implementing proper input validation and integer overflow checks within the driver code, and applying security updates that address the specific memory handling flaws. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices and ensure timely deployment of security patches. The fix typically involves adding proper bounds checking, using safe integer arithmetic operations, and implementing robust error handling for memory allocation functions. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and demonstrates the critical importance of kernel-level security controls in mobile operating systems. The vulnerability underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of low-level system components and proper code review practices to prevent similar issues in future implementations.