CVE-2014-9930 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In WCDMA in all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a Use After Free vulnerability could potentially exist.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9930 represents a critical security flaw affecting WCDMA implementations across all Android releases from Qualcomm Atheros (CAF) that utilize the Linux kernel. This issue manifests as a Use After Free vulnerability, which occurs when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior and system instability. The vulnerability specifically impacts the wireless communication stack within the Android operating system, particularly affecting devices that rely on Qualcomm's WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) technology for 3G connectivity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the kernel-level components responsible for handling WCDMA communication protocols. When certain network operations are performed, the system allocates memory for WCDMA-related data structures and subsequently frees this memory upon completion of operations. However, a flaw exists in the code logic that allows for potential race conditions or improper state management, where references to freed memory locations may persist and be accessed by subsequent operations. This creates opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the vulnerability through carefully crafted network packets or communication sequences that trigger the problematic code path.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9930 extends beyond simple system instability, as it could potentially enable arbitrary code execution within the kernel context. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could gain elevated privileges and potentially compromise the entire device, as kernel-level access provides complete control over system resources and data. The widespread nature of this issue affects all Android devices utilizing Qualcomm's WCDMA implementation, making it particularly concerning for mobile device security. The vulnerability's presence in the Linux kernel components means that exploitation could occur through various attack vectors including malicious network communications, compromised applications, or even physical proximity attacks targeting wireless protocols.
Security researchers categorize this vulnerability under CWE-416, which specifically addresses Use After Free conditions in software implementations. The ATT&CK framework would classify this as a privilege escalation technique, potentially falling under the T1068 category for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" when combined with other attack vectors. Mitigation strategies should include immediate application of security patches provided by Qualcomm and Android security teams, along with network monitoring to detect anomalous WCDMA traffic patterns. Device manufacturers should implement comprehensive memory management audits and consider runtime protections such as stack canaries and memory randomization techniques. Additionally, network administrators should deploy intrusion detection systems capable of identifying potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability, while users should avoid untrusted network environments and ensure timely security updates are applied to their devices. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper memory management in kernel-level code and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can result in significant security risks across millions of devices.