CVE-2014-9793 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
platform/msm_shared/mmc.c in the Qualcomm components in Android before 2016-07-05 on Nexus 7 (2013) devices mishandles the power-on write-protect feature, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 28821253 and Qualcomm internal bug CR580567.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-9793 resides within the Qualcomm components of Android operating systems, specifically in the platform/msm_shared/mmc.c file that manages multimedia card functionality. This issue affects Nexus 7 (2013) devices running Android versions prior to the 2016-07-05 security patch release. The flaw stems from improper handling of the power-on write-protect feature, which is a critical hardware-level mechanism designed to prevent unauthorized modifications to storage media during power-up sequences. This misconfiguration creates a privilege escalation vector that can be exploited by malicious applications.
The technical implementation flaw involves the kernel-level driver responsible for managing memory card operations in Qualcomm's MSM (Multi-System Module) architecture. When the power-on write-protect feature is not properly enforced during the device boot process, attackers can manipulate the system's storage access controls. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level, allowing an unprivileged application to gain elevated privileges by exploiting the improper state management of the MMC (MultiMediaCard) subsystem. The flaw essentially bypasses the intended security boundaries that should prevent unauthorized write operations to protected storage regions during system initialization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to manipulate critical system components and potentially gain root access to the device. The attack requires only a crafted application, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through standard app distribution channels or social engineering. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows for persistent access to the device, enabling data theft, system modification, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the compromised device operates. This represents a significant threat to device integrity and user privacy, particularly given the widespread deployment of Nexus 7 devices in enterprise and consumer environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9793 primarily involve applying the official Android security patches released on or after July 5, 2016, which address the improper handling of the power-on write-protect feature. System administrators should also implement application whitelisting policies to prevent installation of untrusted applications that could exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) within the adversary tactics and techniques framework. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify affected devices and implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Device manufacturers should ensure proper firmware validation and maintain regular security update distribution channels to protect against similar kernel-level vulnerabilities in the future.