CVE-2014-9879 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The mdss mdp3 driver in the Qualcomm components in Android before 2016-08-05 on Nexus 5 devices does not validate user-space data, which allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 28769221 and Qualcomm internal bug CR524490.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9879 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the mdss mdp3 driver component of Qualcomm's Android implementation specifically affecting Nexus 5 devices. This issue stems from inadequate validation of user-space data within the graphics driver subsystem, creating a pathway for malicious applications to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability was disclosed as part of Android's internal bug tracking system under identifier 28769221 and concurrently reported to Qualcomm's internal tracking system as CR524490, highlighting its significance within the mobile security landscape.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the mdss mdp3 driver which manages display processing operations on Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. The flaw occurs when the driver fails to properly validate input parameters provided by user-space applications before processing them within kernel space. This validation gap allows attackers to craft specially designed applications that manipulate memory structures or register values in ways that bypass normal access controls. The driver's insufficient bounds checking and parameter validation creates a direct attack surface where malicious input can trigger kernel-level code execution, effectively enabling privilege escalation from standard application context to kernel-level privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete control over the device's graphics processing unit and underlying hardware resources. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive data, modify system files, install malicious applications, or even disable security features. The exploitation requires only a crafted application that can be installed on the target device, making it particularly dangerous as it does not require physical access or specialized attack infrastructure. This vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental security model of Android's kernel isolation, allowing unprivileged code to gain unauthorized access to privileged system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9879 primarily focus on applying the official security patches released by Google and Qualcomm as part of their regular security updates. The vulnerability was addressed through kernel-level fixes that implement proper input validation and parameter checking within the mdss mdp3 driver. Organizations and users should ensure their devices receive the Android security patch released on August 5, 2016, which specifically targets this vulnerability. Additionally, security professionals should implement monitoring for suspicious application behavior and maintain awareness of the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, particularly those related to kernel exploits and driver-based attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation in kernel drivers can lead to severe privilege escalation exploits.