CVE-2014-9910 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver could enable a local malicious application to execute arbitrary code within the context of the kernel. This issue is rated as High because it first requires compromising a privileged process. Product: Android. Versions: N/A. Android ID: A-31746399. References: B-RB#26710.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9910 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver component of the Android operating system. This weakness exists in the kernel-level driver that manages wireless network connectivity, creating a pathway for malicious applications to gain unauthorized access to system resources that should remain restricted to legitimate system processes. The vulnerability specifically affects the Wi-Fi subsystem where the driver fails to properly validate input parameters or enforce proper access controls during kernel operations. The issue is classified as High severity because it requires an initial compromise of a privileged process, but once achieved, it enables arbitrary code execution at the kernel level, fundamentally undermining the operating system's security model.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of kernel-mode operations within the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver implementation. When a malicious application attempts to exploit this flaw, it can manipulate driver interfaces to bypass normal privilege checks and execute code with kernel-level privileges. This typically involves leveraging buffer overflow conditions, improper input validation, or race conditions within the driver code that allow unauthorized memory access or function pointer manipulation. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of kernel security and wireless networking protocols, where the driver's failure to properly isolate user-space operations from kernel-space execution creates an attack surface that can be exploited by applications with legitimate Wi-Fi access permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9910 extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the device's wireless networking capabilities and potentially broader system access. Once a malicious application achieves kernel-level execution, it can modify system files, disable security mechanisms, install persistent backdoors, or extract sensitive data from the device. This vulnerability particularly impacts mobile device security because it allows attackers to compromise devices through seemingly legitimate applications that require Wi-Fi permissions, making detection more difficult. The attack vector typically requires a compromised privileged process that already has elevated permissions, but this initial compromise can be achieved through various means including phishing attacks, malicious app distribution, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities in the Android system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus on both immediate patching and long-term architectural improvements to the Android security model. The primary solution involves applying official security patches from Google and device manufacturers that update the Broadcom Wi-Fi driver with proper input validation and privilege enforcement mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive mobile device management policies that restrict application installation from unknown sources and maintain regular security update schedules. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) and CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management) categories, demonstrating how driver-level flaws can create persistent security weaknesses. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique where adversaries leverage kernel vulnerabilities to gain system-level access, representing a sophisticated attack pattern that requires both system-level and network-level security controls to prevent successful exploitation.