CVE-2014-9993 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, MDM9607, MDM9650, MSM8909W, SD 210/SD 212/SD 205, SD 400, SD 410/12, SD 425, SD 430, SD 615/16/SD 415, SD 617, SD 625, SD 650/52, SD 800, SD 808, SD 810, SD 820, SD 820A, SD 835, SD 845, SD 450, and SD 850, buffer overread vulnerability may occur while provisioning a content with a large message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overread flaw affecting Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets used in various Android devices including automotive systems and mobile platforms. The issue manifests during the provisioning process when handling content with large messages, creating a scenario where the system reads beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability affects multiple generations of Snapdragon processors ranging from the MDM9206 through the SD 850 series, indicating a widespread impact across Qualcomm's automotive and mobile product lines. This flaw exists in Android versions prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch level, suggesting it was present in numerous devices deployed in automotive and consumer markets. The buffer overread condition occurs specifically during content provisioning operations, where the system processes messages that exceed expected buffer sizes, potentially leading to memory corruption and system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability can result in arbitrary code execution or system crashes, as the overread behavior may allow attackers to access sensitive memory regions or manipulate system state. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-126 buffer overread category, which is classified as a memory safety issue that can lead to information disclosure, denial of service, or privilege escalation. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these Snapdragon chipsets are widely deployed in automotive infotainment systems, mobile devices, and wearables, where the provisioning process typically involves handling various types of content including firmware updates, configuration data, and application resources. The vulnerability's presence in automotive systems like the Snapdragon Automobile platforms raises additional security concerns regarding vehicle safety and cybersecurity, as these systems often handle critical functions and may be targeted by sophisticated adversaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9993 extends beyond simple system crashes, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to device functionality or extract sensitive information from memory regions. In automotive environments, this vulnerability could be exploited to compromise vehicle infotainment systems, potentially affecting vehicle diagnostics, navigation, or even safety-critical systems if proper isolation is not maintained. The widespread deployment of affected chipsets across multiple device categories means that numerous users could be impacted simultaneously, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous from a threat perspective. Organizations and device manufacturers must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture, especially given the automotive industry's increasing reliance on connected systems and the potential for remote exploitation through various attack vectors including over-the-air updates or network-based provisioning processes.
Mitigation strategies should focus on applying the relevant Android security patches released in the 2018-04-05 update cycle, which would include fixes specifically addressing the buffer overread condition in the provisioning subsystem. Device manufacturers should implement additional input validation and bounds checking mechanisms within their provisioning processes to prevent oversized message handling from causing memory corruption. Network-based provisioning systems should incorporate rate limiting and message size restrictions to prevent exploitation through malicious content delivery. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous provisioning behavior and memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly around buffer management and input validation, as recommended by the ATT&CK framework's defensive techniques for preventing memory corruption attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify and remediate similar issues in legacy systems and ensure ongoing protection against evolving threat landscapes.