CVE-2014-9957 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in Qualcomm closed source components. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-36387564.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9957 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Qualcomm's closed source components that affect the Android kernel. This vulnerability specifically targets the Android operating system's kernel layer where Qualcomm's proprietary code interacts with the core system functionalities. The issue stems from improper access controls and privilege management mechanisms within the kernel modules that handle hardware-specific operations and system calls. The vulnerability was tracked under Android ID A-36387564, indicating its classification within Google's internal vulnerability tracking system for Android security issues.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the Qualcomm closed source kernel modules that interface with the Android kernel's security subsystem. Attackers can exploit this weakness to escalate their privileges from a standard user context to a root level system access. The flaw typically manifests through improper validation of system calls or insufficient privilege checks during hardware abstraction layer operations. This allows malicious applications or attackers with local access to execute code with elevated privileges, potentially gaining complete control over the device's kernel space. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the trusted nature of Qualcomm's proprietary components, which are integral to Android devices' hardware functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9957 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable full system compromise and persistent access to affected devices. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain root access to the device, allowing them to modify system files, install malicious applications, access sensitive data, and potentially create backdoors for continued unauthorized access. The closed source nature of Qualcomm's components makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous because traditional security analysis methods cannot easily identify or patch the flaw. This vulnerability affects all Android devices that utilize Qualcomm's proprietary kernel modules, which represents a significant portion of the Android ecosystem, including smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9957 primarily involve updating to patched versions of the Android operating system and Qualcomm's proprietary components. Device manufacturers and carriers should prioritize rolling out security updates to affected devices, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely or through local access. System administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious privilege escalation activities and ensure that devices are running the latest security patches. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting and device integrity monitoring to prevent exploitation of this class of vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues within the Android kernel and Qualcomm's closed source components.