CVE-2014-9959 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability in Qualcomm closed source components. Product: Android. Versions: Android kernel. Android ID: A-36383694.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9959 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within Qualcomm's closed source components that affects the Android kernel implementation. This weakness resides in the proprietary Qualcomm hardware abstraction layer components that interface with the Android operating system, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user level to system level access. The vulnerability specifically targets the kernel space operations where Qualcomm's proprietary drivers and middleware components interact with the core Android kernel, allowing unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and insufficient access control mechanisms within Qualcomm's closed source kernel modules. When Android devices process certain system calls or kernel operations, the Qualcomm proprietary components fail to properly validate the integrity of incoming data or enforce appropriate privilege checks. This flaw typically manifests through improper handling of kernel memory management operations or through insecure inter-module communication channels that do not adequately verify the authenticity of requesting processes. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control issues, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9959 is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to gain complete system control over affected Android devices. Once exploited, adversaries can bypass the standard Android security model and execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, effectively compromising the entire device. This elevation of privilege allows malicious actors to modify system files, install persistent backdoors, access encrypted data, and potentially escalate to other connected devices within the network. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Android devices that utilize Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, making it particularly dangerous as it impacts millions of smartphones and tablets worldwide.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected Qualcomm closed source components through official Android security updates. Device manufacturers must ensure that their firmware updates include the necessary fixes for the Qualcomm proprietary kernel modules, as these components are not typically accessible to end users for direct modification. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activities and maintain regular security assessments of Android device fleets. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of secure supply chain management and the risks associated with proprietary closed source components in mobile security. Organizations should consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while also establishing incident response procedures specifically tailored to address kernel-level privilege escalation attacks. The remediation process must also include thorough testing of patches to ensure they do not introduce regressions in device functionality or compatibility with existing applications.