CVE-2014-9801 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in lib/libfdt/fdt_rw.c 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 28822060 and Qualcomm internal bug CR705078.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2014-9801 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the flattened device tree (FDT) read-write library component of Android's Qualcomm-based systems. This issue specifically affects the libfdt/fdt_rw.c file which handles device tree operations in the Android operating system. The vulnerability resides in the Qualcomm components that are integral to Android's kernel-level device tree management functionality, particularly impacting Nexus 5 devices released before the security patch date of July 5, 2016. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate integer values during device tree processing operations, creating opportunities for privilege escalation through carefully crafted applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer arithmetic within the device tree manipulation functions. When processing device tree data structures, the code fails to properly validate or check for integer overflow conditions during calculations involving buffer sizes, memory allocations, or offset computations. This allows an attacker-controlled application to provide malicious input that causes integer overflow conditions, resulting in memory corruption and potential code execution privileges. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level where device tree information is processed, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from user-space applications to achieve kernel-level privileges. According to CWE classification, this maps to CWE-190: Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness in software systems where integer arithmetic operations produce results that exceed the maximum value that can be represented.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive device resources. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, potentially leading to complete device takeover, data exfiltration, or persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability affects the core Android system components that manage device hardware configuration and initialization, making it particularly impactful for mobile devices where device tree information is crucial for proper hardware abstraction and system operation. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where adversaries use software flaws to elevate their access level within the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9801 require immediate patch application to the affected Android versions, specifically targeting the Qualcomm components and kernel-level device tree handling code. Organizations should ensure all Nexus 5 devices receive the July 2016 security update that addresses this vulnerability. System administrators should also implement monitoring for suspicious application behavior that might attempt to exploit integer overflow conditions in device tree processing. The fix typically involves adding proper integer overflow checks and bounds validation in the affected functions within fdt_rw.c, ensuring that all calculations involving buffer sizes and memory operations are properly validated before execution. Additionally, application sandboxing and runtime protection mechanisms should be strengthened to prevent malicious applications from reaching the vulnerable kernel code paths. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and integer arithmetic handling in kernel-level software components, particularly in mobile operating systems where device tree manipulation is essential for hardware compatibility and system initialization.