CVE-2013-4763 in Galaxy S3
Summary
by MITRE
Samsung Galaxy S3/S4 exposes an unprotected component allowing arbitrary SMS text messages without requesting permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4763 represents a critical security flaw in Samsung Galaxy S3 and S4 mobile devices that stems from improper component protection mechanisms within the Android operating system framework. This issue specifically affects the SMS messaging functionality where an unprotected broadcast receiver component allows unauthorized applications to send text messages without proper user consent or permission prompts. The vulnerability exists at the system level where the Android framework fails to properly enforce security controls around SMS transmission capabilities, creating an attack surface that malicious applications can exploit to perform unauthorized messaging operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a broadcast receiver component that handles SMS sending operations without adequate permission checks or authentication mechanisms. When an application attempts to send an SMS message through the Android telephony framework, the system should verify that the requesting application has proper permissions and that the user has explicitly authorized such actions. However, in the affected Samsung devices, this verification process is bypassed due to a missing or improperly configured security check within the component registration. The flaw resides in the Android framework's component security model where the system does not properly validate the calling application's credentials before executing SMS transmission commands, allowing any application with basic system access to invoke the SMS sending functionality directly.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized messaging as it creates a vector for various malicious activities including spamming, phishing campaigns, and potential financial fraud. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to send premium-rate SMS messages without user knowledge, potentially resulting in unauthorized charges on victim devices. The vulnerability also enables the creation of malicious applications that can automatically send messages to contacts, potentially spreading malware or conducting social engineering attacks. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact exploit since it requires minimal privileges to execute and can be automated within malicious applications. The vulnerability affects all Samsung Galaxy S3 and S4 devices running the affected Android versions, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of these devices at the time of discovery.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control mechanisms, and represents a classic example of insufficient authorization checks within mobile operating systems. The flaw demonstrates how mobile device manufacturers can inadvertently create security holes through inadequate component protection, particularly when implementing system-level services that handle sensitive operations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and command and control communication, as attackers can use the SMS functionality to establish covert communication channels or exfiltrate information through messaging protocols. The vulnerability also relates to T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as malicious applications can programmatically invoke the SMS sending component through legitimate system interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both immediate device-level fixes and broader architectural improvements. Samsung addressed this issue through firmware updates that properly secured the SMS component and implemented additional permission checks before allowing message transmission. Users should ensure their devices receive all available security patches and updates from Samsung and their mobile carriers. System administrators should monitor for applications that request SMS permissions and investigate any suspicious usage patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper component security design and the necessity of implementing robust access control mechanisms for system-level operations. Organizations deploying mobile device management solutions should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict which applications can access SMS functionality. Additionally, users should exercise caution when installing applications and regularly review application permissions to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system functions.
This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the security challenges inherent in mobile operating systems and the importance of proper component-level security controls. The issue demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation oversights can create significant security risks, particularly when dealing with sensitive operations such as SMS messaging that can be exploited for financial gain or privacy violations. The incident underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of system components and proper implementation of security controls at every level of the mobile operating system architecture. Mobile device manufacturers must prioritize security in their development processes and ensure that all system components undergo rigorous security validation before deployment to prevent similar vulnerabilities from affecting users.