CVE-2014-9994 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In Android before 2018-04-05 or earlier security patch level on Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile SD 400 and SD 800, lack of validation of input could cause a integer overflow that could subsequently lead to a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9994 represents a critical security flaw affecting Android devices equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile SD 400 and SD 800 processors. This issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the affected system components, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit fundamental arithmetic operations. The vulnerability was disclosed in 2014 and remained unpatched until the 2018-04-05 security update cycle, leaving millions of devices exposed to potential exploitation for over three years.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of integer values during memory allocation processes. When the system processes user-supplied data or network inputs, it fails to validate the magnitude of integer values before performing arithmetic operations. This weakness creates an integer overflow condition where the result of an arithmetic operation exceeds the maximum value that can be stored in the allocated integer variable. The overflow then propagates into a subsequent buffer overflow scenario, where maliciously crafted inputs can cause the system to write data beyond the bounds of allocated memory buffers.
This vulnerability operates at multiple layers of the Android security stack, affecting both the kernel-level memory management and user-space applications that utilize Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor architecture. The integer overflow occurs during the processing of network packets, file operations, or other input handling mechanisms where the system calculates buffer sizes based on user-provided values. When these calculations exceed the integer limits, the system allocates insufficient memory, creating writable memory regions that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This behavior aligns with CWE-190, which describes integer overflow vulnerabilities, and specifically relates to CWE-121, which addresses buffer overflow conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9994 extends beyond simple system instability, as it provides attackers with potential pathways to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code. Attackers can craft malicious inputs that trigger the integer overflow condition, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects devices running Android versions prior to the 2018-04-05 security patch, making it particularly dangerous as it impacted a large portion of the Android ecosystem. Mobile devices with Snapdragon SD 400 and SD 800 processors were particularly vulnerable due to the specific memory management implementations in Qualcomm's chipsets.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and code execution. Attackers could leverage this weakness to gain elevated privileges within the Android operating system, potentially accessing sensitive user data, modifying system files, or establishing persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread adoption of Snapdragon processors in Android devices, making it a prime target for large-scale exploitation campaigns. Organizations and individual users who failed to apply the 2018-04-05 security updates remained vulnerable to attacks that could result in complete device compromise and data theft.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9994 require immediate implementation of the security patches released by Google and Qualcomm. Device manufacturers must ensure that all affected devices receive the necessary security updates, particularly those running Android versions prior to the 2018-04-05 patch level. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all managed devices. Additionally, network monitoring systems should be configured to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, as the integer overflow conditions may manifest as unusual network traffic patterns or system behavior anomalies. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify devices that may not have received the required patches, particularly in enterprise environments where device management is more complex.