CVE-2014-9869 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
drivers/media/platform/msm/camera_v2/isp/msm_isp_stats_util.c in the Qualcomm components in Android before 2016-08-05 on Nexus 5 and 7 (2013) devices does not validate certain index values, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 28749728 and Qualcomm internal bug CR514711.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-9869 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Qualcomm camera subsystem of Android devices, specifically affecting Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013) models released before the 2016-08-05 security update. This issue resides in the msm_isp_stats_util.c file within the drivers/media/platform/msm/camera_v2/isp directory, which forms part of the Android kernel's media framework responsible for image signal processing operations. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly verify index values during camera statistics processing operations, creating a pathway for malicious applications to exploit kernel-level privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array index values, and demonstrates how insufficient bounds checking in kernel space can lead to severe security implications. Attackers can craft malicious applications that manipulate index values in camera statistics processing functions, allowing them to bypass kernel security controls and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. This particular flaw leverages the Android binder interface to communicate between user space and kernel space components, where the camera subsystem's ISP (Image Signal Processor) statistics handling routines fail to validate input parameters before using them as array indices. The vulnerability specifically affects the Qualcomm MSM (Multi-System Module) camera platform components that were widely deployed across Android devices during the early 2014 timeframe, making it particularly dangerous due to its prevalence.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the device's camera subsystem and potentially broader system access. Successful exploitation could enable malicious actors to capture unauthorized photos, record video without user consent, access sensitive camera data, or even use the compromised camera functionality to facilitate further attacks. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, meaning that once exploited, attackers can bypass standard Android security models and access system resources that should normally be restricted. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in the context of the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically mapping to T1068 (Signed Binary Proxy Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) tactics, where attackers could leverage the elevated privileges to establish persistent access or deploy additional malware.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9869 primarily focus on applying the relevant security patches released by Google and Qualcomm, which include kernel-level fixes that implement proper index validation mechanisms within the camera ISP subsystem. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize immediate deployment of the Android security update released on 2016-08-05, which addresses the specific bounds checking deficiencies in the msm_isp_stats_util.c file. Additional defensive measures include implementing application sandboxing policies that restrict camera access permissions, monitoring for unusual camera activity patterns, and maintaining up-to-date device firmware to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of kernel security hardening practices, including the implementation of KASLR (Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization) and SMEP (Supervisor Mode Execution Prevention) to mitigate similar issues in the broader Android kernel ecosystem.