CVE-2014-9902 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in CORE/SYS/legacy/src/utils/src/dot11f.c in the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver in Android before 2016-08-05 on Nexus 7 (2013) devices allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Information Element (IE) in an 802.11 management frame, aka Android internal bug 28668638 and Qualcomm internal bugs CR553937 and CR553941.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9902 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw located within the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver component of Android operating systems. This specific vulnerability exists in the file dot11f.c which forms part of the CORE/SYS/legacy/src/utils/src directory structure of the Android framework. The issue affects Android versions prior to the security patch released on August 5, 2016, with particular impact on Nexus 7 (2013) devices that utilize Qualcomm's Wi-Fi chipsets. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation when processing 802.11 management frames, specifically those containing crafted Information Elements that exceed the allocated buffer space.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of 802.11 management frames that contain maliciously crafted Information Elements. When the Qualcomm Wi-Fi driver processes these frames, it fails to properly validate the length of the Information Element data, allowing an attacker to overflow the allocated buffer space in memory. This buffer overflow condition creates an opportunity for remote code execution since the attacker can overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses and function pointers within the execution stack. The flaw specifically manifests when the driver attempts to parse and handle IEEE 802.11 management frames that contain oversized or malformed Information Elements, which are legitimate components of the wireless networking protocol but are processed without adequate bounds checking.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe security risk as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected devices without requiring physical access or user interaction. The attack vector operates entirely over the wireless medium, making it particularly dangerous in public Wi-Fi environments or when devices are in proximity to malicious access points. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially full system compromise, as the attacker could escalate privileges and gain complete control over the device. This vulnerability affects not only individual user devices but also creates potential risks for enterprise environments where wireless connectivity is prevalent. The specific targeting of Nexus 7 (2013) devices indicates that this vulnerability was particularly concerning for a popular tablet platform that was widely deployed in both consumer and enterprise settings, potentially affecting thousands of devices in the field.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve applying the security patches released by Google and Qualcomm in their respective Android security updates. Organizations and users must ensure that all affected devices receive the August 2016 security patch that addresses this specific buffer overflow condition. Additionally, network administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious 802.11 management frames and consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in network protocol handling. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the initial code execution to gain further system control. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in wireless protocol implementations, particularly in the context of embedded systems and mobile operating environments where wireless connectivity is essential for device functionality.