CVE-2014-9904 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
The snd_compress_check_input function in sound/core/compress_offload.c in the ALSA subsystem in the Linux kernel before 3.17 does not properly check for an integer overflow, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (insufficient memory allocation) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted SNDRV_COMPRESS_SET_PARAMS ioctl call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9904 resides within the Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (ALSA) subsystem of the Linux kernel, specifically in the sound/core/compress_offload.c file. This flaw affects kernel versions prior to 3.17 and represents a critical security issue that can be exploited by local attackers to disrupt system operations or potentially achieve more severe consequences. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the snd_compress_check_input function, which processes ioctl calls for compressed audio offloading operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves an integer overflow condition that occurs during parameter validation for compressed audio streams. When a local user submits a crafted SNDRV_COMPRESS_SET_PARAMS ioctl command, the snd_compress_check_input function fails to properly validate input parameters, allowing malicious values to bypass normal bounds checking. This overflow condition results in insufficient memory allocation calculations, where the kernel allocates memory based on corrupted or inflated size parameters. The flaw falls under CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented vulnerability pattern that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution in kernel space.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for systems running affected kernel versions, particularly those with audio processing capabilities or embedded systems that rely on compressed audio offloading. The denial of service impact can render audio subsystems unavailable, potentially affecting multimedia applications, telephony services, or real-time audio processing applications. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest that under certain conditions, this flaw could potentially be leveraged for privilege escalation or information disclosure, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or security-sensitive deployments. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to disrupt system services or create persistent access points within the kernel.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9904 primarily involve upgrading to kernel versions 3.17 or later where the integer overflow check has been properly implemented. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those running embedded audio processing applications or servers that handle compressed audio streams. Additional protective measures include implementing proper access controls to limit local user privileges and monitoring for suspicious ioctl activity. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel hardening techniques such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization to reduce exploit reliability. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, and T1499, Endpoint Denial of Service, demonstrating how kernel-level flaws can be exploited to achieve both service disruption and potential privilege escalation in well-configured systems.