CVE-2014-9987 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Automobile, Snapdragon Mobile, and Snapdragon Wear MDM9206, MDM9650, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, and SD 850, a buffer over-read can occur in a DRM API.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9987 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within the Digital Rights Management API of Qualcomm Snapdragon automotive and mobile platforms. This issue affects Android devices released prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch level, impacting a wide range of Snapdragon chipsets including the MDM9206, MDM9650, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 450, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, and SD 850 processors. The flaw exists in the DRM subsystem where improper bounds checking allows malicious code to read memory beyond allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data and system information.
This vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which specifically addresses "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions in software systems. The technical implementation flaw occurs when the DRM API processes malformed input data without adequate validation, causing the system to access memory locations that should remain protected or inaccessible. The buffer over-read allows attackers to potentially extract confidential information from adjacent memory locations, including cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other sensitive system data. The exploitability of this vulnerability is heightened by the fact that it affects automotive systems where Snapdragon chipsets are integrated, making vehicle infotainment and connectivity systems potential attack vectors for sophisticated adversaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9987 extends beyond typical mobile device security concerns into automotive cybersecurity domains, as highlighted by ATT&CK technique T1547.001 for "Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder" and T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" in automotive contexts. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to vehicle systems, potentially compromising vehicle security and safety mechanisms. The vulnerability's presence in automotive platforms particularly raises concerns about supply chain security, as the affected chipsets are integrated into various automotive manufacturers' systems, creating widespread potential impact across the automotive industry. Organizations utilizing these platforms must consider the broader implications of compromised automotive systems, including potential for remote code execution and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate security patching of all affected Android devices and automotive systems, following the security update schedule established by Qualcomm and device manufacturers. System administrators should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, while also considering the implementation of secure boot mechanisms and memory protection features such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-125 emphasizes the need for robust input validation and bounds checking in all software components, particularly those handling external data inputs. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their automotive systems to identify potential additional attack vectors and ensure proper security controls are in place to prevent exploitation of similar buffer over-read vulnerabilities in other system components.