CVE-2014-9988 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 SD 820A, IPQ4019, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 835, SD 845, SD 450, and SD 850, lack of input validation for message length causes buffer over read in drm_app_encapsulate_save_keys.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
This vulnerability exists in Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets across multiple automotive and mobile platforms, specifically affecting Android devices released before the 2018-04-05 security patch level. The flaw resides in the drm_app_encapsulate_save_keys function within the digital rights management implementation, where insufficient input validation leads to a buffer overread condition. This represents a critical security weakness that could allow attackers to read beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data or enabling further exploitation. The vulnerability impacts a wide range of Snapdragon SoCs including the SD 820A, IPQ4019, MDM9206, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8909W, and numerous others spanning the SD 2xx, SD 4xx, SD 6xx, and SD 8xx series. The lack of proper message length validation creates an opportunity for malicious actors to craft specially crafted input that triggers the buffer overread condition.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though in this case it manifests as a buffer overread rather than overflow. This type of vulnerability typically allows attackers to access memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially revealing sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, system credentials, or other confidential data stored in adjacent memory locations. The operational impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the overread condition could potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges within the affected system. Attackers could exploit this weakness by sending malformed DRM-related messages that cause the vulnerable function to read beyond its allocated memory space, potentially corrupting system memory or accessing protected data areas.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability provides a pathway for attackers to extract sensitive information from devices running affected Qualcomm chipsets. The exploitation requires understanding of the DRM subsystem and the specific memory layout of the vulnerable Snapdragon processors. The attack surface is particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these chipsets in automotive infotainment systems, mobile devices, and wearable technology. Organizations and device manufacturers should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as the vulnerability exists in hardware-level components that cannot be fully mitigated through software updates alone. The security implications extend to automotive environments where these chipsets are used in vehicle entertainment and communication systems, potentially compromising vehicle security and data privacy.
The recommended mitigation strategies include applying the latest security patches provided by Qualcomm and device manufacturers, implementing network-level protections to limit exposure to potentially malicious DRM content, and conducting thorough security assessments of affected systems. Organizations should also consider monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as well as implementing memory protection mechanisms where possible. Given the hardware-level nature of this vulnerability, complete remediation requires updating the firmware and potentially replacing affected hardware components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in security-critical system components, particularly in embedded systems where memory corruption can have severe operational consequences. This issue underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of automotive and mobile platforms, particularly in environments where hardware and software security are tightly integrated.