CVE-2014-9890 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Off-by-one error in drivers/media/platform/msm/camera_v2/sensor/cci/msm_cci.c in the Qualcomm components in Android before 2016-08-05 on Nexus 5 and 7 (2013) devices allows attackers to gain privileges via a crafted application that sends an I2C command, aka Android internal bug 28770207 and Qualcomm internal bug CR529177.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9890 represents a critical off-by-one error within the Qualcomm Camera Control Interface driver component of Android operating systems. This flaw exists in the msm_cci.c file located within the drivers/media/platform/msm/camera_v2/sensor/cci directory structure of the Android kernel source code. The vulnerability specifically affects Android versions prior to 2016-08-05 and impacts Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013) devices, making it particularly significant given the widespread deployment of these devices in enterprise and consumer environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking in the I2C command processing functionality. When a crafted application sends malicious I2C commands through the Qualcomm Camera Control Interface, the off-by-one error causes the system to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This memory corruption can be exploited to manipulate kernel data structures and potentially escalate privileges from user-level applications to kernel-level execution. The flaw operates at the intersection of hardware abstraction layer and kernel driver components, leveraging the camera subsystem's I2C communication capabilities to achieve unauthorized access. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses improper validation of array indices, and represents a classic example of buffer over-read conditions that can lead to privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a pathway to achieve complete system compromise. An attacker with a malicious application installed on an affected device could leverage this vulnerability to gain root access, potentially enabling data exfiltration, persistent backdoor installation, and complete system control. The attack vector requires only a crafted application, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may unknowingly install malicious software. This vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation,' and demonstrates how hardware-level components can be exploited to achieve kernel-level access. The vulnerability's presence in the camera subsystem also creates potential for supply chain attacks, as legitimate camera applications may be used as delivery mechanisms for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9890 primarily focus on patching the affected Android versions and ensuring proper firmware updates are deployed. Organizations should implement immediate security updates to Android devices running vulnerable versions, particularly those using Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. Device administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized applications from accessing camera subsystems. Additionally, network-based security controls such as intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor for suspicious I2C command patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive security testing for hardware abstraction layers and kernel drivers, particularly in mobile environments where device-specific drivers interact with critical system components. Regular security assessments should include examination of I2C and similar hardware communication interfaces to identify similar off-by-one errors that could lead to privilege escalation vulnerabilities.