CVE-2014-9962 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a vulnerability exists in the parsing of a DRM provisioning command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9962 represents a critical security flaw in Android devices that utilize the Linux kernel and are based on code from the Code Aurora Forum. This vulnerability specifically targets the Digital Rights Management provisioning command parsing mechanism, which is fundamental to how mobile devices handle protected media content and digital rights management protocols. The issue stems from improper validation and handling of DRM provisioning commands that are processed by the underlying kernel components responsible for managing multimedia content protection.
This technical flaw manifests in the kernel-level processing of DRM provisioning commands where insufficient input validation allows for malformed or maliciously crafted provisioning data to be processed without proper sanitization. The vulnerability enables an attacker to potentially manipulate the DRM system during the provisioning phase, which is the initial setup process where devices register with DRM servers and establish content protection parameters. When the kernel parses these commands, it fails to properly validate the structure and content of the provisioning data, creating opportunities for buffer overflows, memory corruption, or unauthorized privilege escalation. The vulnerability exists across all Android versions that utilize the Linux kernel from Code Aurora Forum, indicating a widespread impact affecting numerous device manufacturers and models that rely on this kernel implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable complete compromise of the device's media protection mechanisms. An attacker could exploit this weakness to bypass DRM protections, access restricted content, or manipulate the provisioning process to install malicious DRM components that persist across device reboots. The attack surface is particularly concerning because DRM provisioning occurs during device setup and initial content registration, making it a prime target for exploitation. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers buffer overflow vulnerabilities in heap-based memory. The exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to achieve persistent access to protected content and potentially establish a foothold for further attacks on the device's security infrastructure.
From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials and privileges, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage. The attacker could leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code within the kernel context, potentially gaining root access to the device. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation for all DRM provisioning commands, applying kernel patches from the Code Aurora Forum, and ensuring timely security updates from device manufacturers. Organizations should also consider network-based monitoring for suspicious provisioning activities and implement device enrollment policies that limit the scope of DRM provisioning operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of kernel-level security in mobile platforms and highlights the necessity for comprehensive security testing of core system components that handle sensitive data processing operations.