CVE-2014-9790 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
drivers/mmc/core/debugfs.c in the Qualcomm components in Android before 2016-07-05 on Nexus 5 and 7 (2013) devices does not validate pointers used in read and write operations, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 28769136 and Qualcomm internal bug CR545716.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-9790 resides within the Qualcomm components of Android operating systems, specifically in the mmc core debugfs implementation located at drivers/mmc/core/debugfs.c. This flaw affects Android versions prior to 2016-07-05 and particularly impacts Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013) devices. The issue represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that stems from inadequate pointer validation during read and write operations within the debug filesystem interface. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, which occurs when the system fails to properly validate memory pointers before accessing them.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the absence of proper input validation within the mmc core debugfs subsystem. When applications attempt to read from or write to debug filesystem entries related to memory card operations, the system does not validate the pointers used in these operations. This allows malicious applications to craft specially designed pointer values that can bypass normal access controls and potentially access kernel memory regions. The vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate kernel memory through crafted applications, which can lead to privilege escalation and full system compromise. This flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level, where unauthorized access can result in complete system takeover.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9790 is severe, as it allows attackers to escalate privileges from standard application level access to kernel level privileges. This means that any malicious application installed on the device can potentially gain root access and execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges. The vulnerability affects devices running Android versions before the specified patch date, making older Nexus devices particularly susceptible. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to install malware, extract sensitive data, modify system files, or even disable security features. The attack vector requires only a crafted application, making it relatively easy to exploit in practice, and the impact is immediate and potentially irreversible.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve applying the security patches released by Google and Qualcomm in their respective update cycles. Users should ensure their devices are updated to Android versions released after 2016-07-05, which contain the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. The patch addresses the pointer validation issue by implementing proper input sanitization and bounds checking in the debugfs operations. Organizations should also implement device management policies that enforce regular security updates and monitor for vulnerable devices on their networks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and demonstrates the importance of proper kernel memory management and input validation as outlined in security frameworks. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the need for robust kernel security practices and proper validation of all system interfaces to prevent unauthorized access to critical system resources.