CVE-2014-9788 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflow in the voice drivers in the Qualcomm components in Android before 2016-07-05 on Nexus 5 devices allow attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 28573112 and Qualcomm internal bug CR548872.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in the voice driver components of Qualcomm Snapdragon processors used in Nexus 5 devices running Android versions prior to July 5, 2016. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the kernel-level voice driver modules that handle audio processing operations. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow under CWE-121, specifically manifesting as a stack-based buffer overflow that occurs when untrusted data is copied into a fixed-size buffer without proper bounds checking. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting a malicious application that triggers the vulnerable code path through improper parameter handling in audio processing functions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the privilege escalation capabilities inherent in kernel-level buffer overflows, allowing malicious applications to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The flaw exists in the Qualcomm components that manage voice communication channels, specifically within the audio driver subsystem that interfaces between user-space applications and hardware audio processing units. When a crafted application sends malformed audio data to the vulnerable driver, the insufficient bounds checking causes data to overflow into adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting critical kernel data structures or overwriting return addresses. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and kernel exploitation tactics.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise and potential data exfiltration capabilities. Once successfully exploited, attackers can gain root-level access to the device, enabling them to modify system files, install persistent backdoors, access encrypted data, and perform surveillance activities. The vulnerability affects devices running Android versions before the specified patch date, making it particularly concerning for legacy devices that may not receive security updates. The presence of this flaw in the Qualcomm Snapdragon processors means that all Nexus 5 devices and potentially other devices using similar chipsets were at risk, as the vulnerability resides in the hardware abstraction layer rather than the operating system itself.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates and Qualcomm firmware releases. System administrators should ensure that all Nexus 5 devices receive the July 2016 security update that addresses this specific buffer overflow issue. Additionally, organizations should implement application whitelisting policies to prevent installation of untrusted applications that could exploit this vulnerability. The mitigation approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and follows security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-128 for mobile device security. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization to make exploitation more difficult. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in other system components, particularly those involving kernel drivers and hardware abstraction layers that process untrusted input data.