CVE-2014-9893 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
drivers/video/msm/mdss/mdss_mdp_pp.c in the Qualcomm components in Android before 2016-08-05 on Nexus 5 devices does not properly determine the size of Gamut LUT data, which allows attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 28747914 and Qualcomm internal bug CR542223.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9893 resides within the Qualcomm multimedia display subsystem components of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Nexus 5 devices released prior to August 5, 2016. This issue manifests in the mdss_mdp_pp.c driver file which manages display processing operations including gamut lookup table handling. The flaw represents a classic buffer over-read condition where the system fails to properly validate the size of gamut lookup table data structures during processing. This improper size determination creates a scenario where malicious applications can manipulate the data flow to access memory regions beyond the intended boundaries of the gamut LUT structures.
The technical execution of this vulnerability leverages the Android graphics subsystem's handling of color space transformations and display calibration data. When applications attempt to process or render visual content through the Qualcomm display driver, the system's insufficient validation of gamut LUT data size parameters allows attackers to craft specially designed applications that can trigger memory read operations beyond allocated buffer limits. This misconfiguration enables information disclosure attacks where sensitive data from adjacent memory locations becomes accessible to unauthorized applications. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the display processing pipeline, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses typical user-space security boundaries and can potentially expose system-level information.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security implications for mobile device users and organizations relying on Android-based platforms. The information disclosure capability could potentially expose cryptographic keys, system memory contents, or other sensitive data that resides in memory regions adjacent to the gamut LUT processing buffers. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gather intelligence about the device's internal state, potentially aiding in more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability affects a specific class of devices and time period, but represents a fundamental flaw in how the Qualcomm display driver handles memory boundaries, making it applicable to similar implementations across different Android versions and device manufacturers.
The security implications align with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software systems. This vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1063 for security software discovery, as attackers might leverage this information disclosure to understand system configurations and plan subsequent attacks. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices in kernel-space drivers and highlights the importance of proper memory boundary checking in embedded systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Android security patches, updating to versions released after August 5, 2016, and ensuring proper device firmware updates are deployed. Additionally, mobile device management policies should enforce regular security updates and monitor for similar vulnerabilities in other kernel components. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for thorough security testing of display and graphics subsystems, particularly in mobile environments where these components interact with both user applications and system-level processes.