CVE-2014-9976 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In all Qualcomm products with Android releases from CAF using the Linux kernel, a buffer overflow vulnerability exists in 1x call processing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9976 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Qualcomm's Android-based products that utilize the Linux kernel stack. This issue specifically affects the 1x call processing functionality, which operates within the cellular communication framework of these devices. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management practices during the handling of call-related data structures, creating an exploitable condition that could allow malicious actors to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. The affected products span various Qualcomm Snapdragon processors and their associated Android implementations, making this a widespread concern across numerous mobile devices and embedded systems that rely on Qualcomm's cellular modems.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs within the Linux kernel subsystem responsible for processing 1x cellular calls, which represents a fundamental communication pathway for voice services in mobile devices. When the system processes incoming or outgoing 1x call data, it fails to properly validate the size and content of buffers allocated for call signaling information, particularly in scenarios involving call setup, teardown, or status updates. This flaw allows attackers to craft specially crafted call-related data that exceeds the allocated buffer boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability manifests as a classic stack-based buffer overflow, where attacker-controlled data overflows into adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting critical system structures or executing malicious code.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9976 extends beyond simple system crashes or service interruptions, as it represents a significant security risk that could enable remote code execution in affected devices. Mobile devices utilizing Qualcomm chipsets that are vulnerable to this flaw could be compromised through malicious call signals or network-based attacks, potentially allowing threat actors to gain unauthorized access to device functionality, access sensitive user data, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects devices across multiple Android versions and Qualcomm product lines, creating a broad attack surface that could impact millions of users. Organizations and individuals using affected devices face potential risks including unauthorized surveillance, data theft, and complete device compromise, particularly in environments where mobile security is critical. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a typical attack vector that could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9976 require comprehensive patch management approaches that address the underlying kernel-level vulnerability in Qualcomm's Android implementations. Device manufacturers must implement timely security updates that correct the buffer overflow conditions in the cellular call processing subsystem, which typically involves validating input data sizes and implementing proper memory boundary checks. System administrators should prioritize updating affected devices to the latest security patches provided by Qualcomm and device manufacturers, while also implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include network-level controls that monitor for anomalous call signaling patterns and device hardening procedures that limit unnecessary cellular functionality. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can automatically deploy security patches and monitor for vulnerability exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's nature makes it particularly susceptible to automated exploitation techniques that could be deployed at scale.