CVE-2014-9900 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
The ethtool_get_wol function in net/core/ethtool.c in the Linux kernel through 4.7, as used in Android before 2016-08-05 on Nexus 5 and 7 (2013) devices, does not initialize a certain data structure, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information via a crafted application, aka Android internal bug 28803952 and Qualcomm internal bug CR570754.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9900 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the Linux kernel's ethtool implementation that affects versions through 4.7. This issue resides in the ethtool_get_wol function located in net/core/ethtool.c, where a data structure fails to be properly initialized during the execution of network interface configuration operations. The vulnerability specifically impacts Android devices prior to the 2016-08-05 security patch release, particularly affecting Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013) devices, making it a significant concern for mobile device security and embedded system integrity.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper initialization of a data structure within the ethtool_get_wol function, which operates under the Linux kernel's network subsystem to retrieve wake-on-LAN (WoL) settings for network interfaces. When a malicious application attempts to query these settings through the ethtool interface, the uninitialized data structure retains previously allocated memory contents, potentially exposing sensitive information from kernel memory space. This uninitialized memory leakage creates a pathway for local privilege escalation and information disclosure attacks that can reveal confidential data such as kernel stack contents, memory addresses, or other sensitive operational details that should not be accessible to user-space applications.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables local attackers with application-level access to potentially extract sensitive kernel memory information through crafted applications that exploit the uninitialized data structure. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks including kernel address space layout randomization (ASLR) bypass techniques, where attackers can gather memory layout information to predict kernel memory locations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-457: Use of Uninitialized Variable, which specifically addresses the security risks associated with uninitialized memory access in system-level programming contexts. The attack vector is particularly concerning in mobile environments where applications may have elevated privileges or where privilege escalation opportunities exist within the Android framework.
The security implications of CVE-2014-9900 extend to the broader mobile security landscape, particularly within the Android ecosystem where device-specific vulnerabilities can affect millions of users. This flaw demonstrates how kernel-level programming errors can create persistent security weaknesses that remain exploitable across multiple device generations and software versions. The vulnerability's presence in the Android kernel implementation highlights the importance of proper memory initialization practices in kernel space, where even seemingly benign functions can become attack vectors for sophisticated exploitation. Organizations should consider this vulnerability when implementing security controls and patch management strategies, particularly for legacy Android devices that may not receive regular security updates. The issue also represents a failure in the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically related to kernel memory corruption and information disclosure attacks that can be leveraged for further compromise of affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Linux kernel versions and Android devices, with particular attention to the specific kernel versions and Android releases that contain the vulnerable ethtool implementation. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring for unauthorized ethtool usage and memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the need for rigorous code review processes focused on kernel-level memory management, emphasizing the critical importance of proper initialization of all data structures before use. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and memory randomization techniques to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts.