CVE-2014-9967 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, an untrusted pointer dereference vulnerability exists in WideVine DRM.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9967 represents a critical security flaw affecting Android devices that utilize the Linux kernel and WideVine Digital Rights Management system. This issue stems from an untrusted pointer dereference condition that occurs within the kernel-level components responsible for handling WideVine DRM operations. The vulnerability affects all Android releases from Code Aurora Forum (CAF) that incorporate the Linux kernel, indicating a widespread impact across multiple device manufacturers and software versions. The flaw exists in the kernel subsystem that processes WideVine DRM content, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of this DRM technology in mobile devices and the sensitive nature of digital rights management operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a pointer dereference operation that does not properly validate input from untrusted sources within the WideVine DRM implementation. When processing certain DRM content or control messages, the kernel code attempts to dereference a pointer that has not been adequately validated against potential malicious input. This creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the pointer value to point to arbitrary memory locations, potentially leading to privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution within kernel space. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-476 as a NULL pointer dereference, though the specific implementation flaw involves untrusted data being used in pointer arithmetic or assignment operations without proper validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9967 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it represents a fundamental weakness in the kernel's DRM handling capabilities. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges within the kernel environment, allowing them to bypass security restrictions and access protected system resources. The implications are particularly severe given that WideVine DRM is commonly used for protecting premium content and digital media, making this vulnerability attractive to threat actors seeking to circumvent content protection measures or gain unauthorized system access. The vulnerability's presence in the Linux kernel layer means that successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, as kernel-level access provides the highest level of system control.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate patching and defensive measures. Device manufacturers and system administrators must prioritize applying the relevant kernel patches provided by the Linux kernel maintainers and Code Aurora Forum to address the specific pointer validation issues within the WideVine DRM implementation. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as kernel address space layout randomization and stack canaries can help mitigate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits, making it essential for security teams to monitor for potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level monitoring to detect anomalous DRM-related traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where WideVine DRM is actively utilized for content protection.