CVE-2014-9895 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
drivers/media/media-device.c in the Linux kernel before 3.11, as used in Android before 2016-08-05 on Nexus 5 and 7 (2013) devices, does not properly initialize certain data structures, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 28750150 and Qualcomm internal bug CR570757, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-1739.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9895 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Linux kernel's media device driver component. This issue affects kernel versions prior to 3.11 and specifically impacts Android devices released before August 5, 2016, including the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013) models. The vulnerability stems from inadequate initialization of data structures within the drivers/media/media-device.c file, creating a pathway for local privilege escalation through information leakage. The flaw was also documented as Android internal bug 28750150 and Qualcomm internal bug CR570757, distinguishing it from similar vulnerabilities such as CVE-2014-1739. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-1287 category, which encompasses improper initialization of data structures, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local privileges to gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious application attempts to interact with the media device driver interface without proper initialization of critical data structures. The uninitialized memory regions contain sensitive information from previous operations, including kernel memory addresses, credential data, or other confidential system information. When the media device driver processes requests from user-space applications, it fails to properly clear or initialize memory before use, allowing attackers to read potentially sensitive data from these uninitialized regions. This information disclosure can provide attackers with valuable insights into the kernel's memory layout, which can then be leveraged to craft more sophisticated attacks targeting other system components or to bypass security mitigations such as kernel address space layout randomization. The vulnerability specifically affects the media device subsystem, which handles multimedia processing and device communication, making it particularly concerning for mobile platforms where multimedia functionality is extensively used.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9895 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a foundation for more severe security compromises. Local attackers with application-level privileges can exploit this vulnerability to gather kernel memory contents, potentially revealing information about kernel data structures, security keys, or other sensitive operational details. The vulnerability affects a significant number of Android devices from 2013 and 2014, particularly those running kernel versions that were vulnerable, making it a widespread concern for organizations maintaining legacy mobile infrastructure. The exploitation of this vulnerability can enable attackers to perform advanced persistent threat operations, as the leaked information can be used to circumvent kernel security features or to develop more targeted attacks against the specific device or platform. This information leakage creates a substantial risk for mobile devices where users may not be aware of the underlying kernel vulnerabilities, particularly in enterprise environments where mobile device management policies are critical for security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9895 require both immediate and long-term approaches to address the root cause. The most effective solution involves upgrading to Linux kernel version 3.11 or later, where the media device driver properly initializes all required data structures. Device manufacturers and Android platform providers should ensure that vulnerable devices receive security updates that patch the uninitialized memory issue in the media-device.c file. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies that enforce regular security updates and kernel version compliance, particularly for mobile platforms that continue to operate legacy devices. Additional mitigations include implementing application sandboxing measures to limit the ability of malicious applications to exploit kernel interfaces, deploying runtime monitoring systems that can detect anomalous memory access patterns, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potential information disclosure vulnerabilities within the kernel subsystems. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level protections and endpoint detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts that leverage this vulnerability for information gathering purposes.