CVE-2014-9929 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In WCDMA in all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a Use of Out-of-range Pointer Offset vulnerability could potentially exist.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9929 represents a critical security flaw within the WCDMA subsystem of Android devices that utilize Qualcomm Chipsets and operate on Linux kernel architectures. This issue specifically affects all Android releases from CAF (Qualcomm Android Framework) and stems from improper handling of pointer operations within the kernel-level communication protocols. The vulnerability manifests as a use of out-of-range pointer offset, which fundamentally compromises the memory management integrity of the system.
This technical flaw occurs at the kernel level where WCDMA communication drivers process incoming data packets and manage memory allocations for radio frequency operations. When malformed or malicious data packets are received through the WCDMA interface, the kernel drivers fail to properly validate pointer offsets before dereferencing memory addresses. This condition creates a scenario where a pointer may reference memory locations outside the intended allocation boundaries, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level, bypassing traditional user-space security mechanisms and operating system protections.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it could enable attackers to execute malicious code with kernel-level privileges. An attacker positioned to send crafted WCDMA packets could exploit this flaw to gain complete control over the device, potentially leading to data theft, persistent backdoor installation, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects all Android devices that rely on Qualcomm chipsets for 3G connectivity, creating a widespread attack surface across numerous device models and manufacturers. This represents a significant concern for enterprise deployments and mobile security, as it undermines the fundamental security model of mobile operating systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9929 require immediate patching of affected kernel versions and implementation of proper input validation mechanisms within WCDMA driver code. System administrators should prioritize updating Android devices to versions that include kernel patches addressing the pointer validation issues, while also implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous WCDMA traffic patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses the weakness of insufficient validation of the length of input data, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for kernel-mode rootkits and T1068 for local privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific memory management flaw.