CVE-2014-9944 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In the Secure File System in all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, an Integer Overflow to Buffer Overflow vulnerability could potentially exist.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9944 represents a critical security flaw within the Secure File System implementation across all Android releases from the Code Aurora Forum that utilize the Linux kernel. This vulnerability resides in the kernel-level file system operations where integer overflow conditions can lead to buffer overflow scenarios. The Secure File System in Android devices relies heavily on kernel modules to manage file operations securely, making this particular flaw particularly dangerous as it operates at the core of the operating system's security infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the system processes file operations that involve integer arithmetic calculations for buffer sizing or memory allocation. When integer overflow occurs during these calculations, the resulting buffer size becomes insufficient to accommodate the actual data being processed, creating a condition where subsequent buffer writes can overwrite adjacent memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to buffer overflows and memory corruption. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign integer arithmetic operations can create exploitable conditions when proper bounds checking is absent.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9944 extends beyond simple data corruption, as it provides potential attack vectors for privilege escalation and system compromise. An attacker who can trigger the vulnerable code path may be able to execute arbitrary code within the kernel context, potentially gaining root access to the device. This vulnerability affects all Android devices that utilize the Code Aurora Forum's kernel implementations, creating a widespread risk across multiple device manufacturers and models. The nature of the vulnerability means that exploitation requires only the ability to perform specific file operations that trigger the integer overflow condition, making it accessible to attackers with minimal privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate kernel updates and patches from device manufacturers, as the flaw exists within the fundamental kernel file system operations. System administrators and security professionals should prioritize applying the latest security patches from Google and device vendors, particularly focusing on kernel-level updates that address integer overflow handling in file system operations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in kernel code, as recommended by the CERT/CC guidelines for secure coding practices. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious file system operations and maintain up-to-date threat intelligence to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the necessity of following ATT&CK framework principles for kernel-level threat detection, particularly focusing on privilege escalation techniques that may leverage buffer overflow conditions. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing additional runtime protections and memory corruption detection mechanisms to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.