CVE-2015-0863 in GALAXY Apps
Summary
by MITRE
GALAXY Apps (aka Samsung Apps, Samsung Updates, or com.sec.android.app.samsungapps) before 14120405.03.012 allows man-in-the-middle attackers to obtain sensitive information and execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0863 affects GALAXY Apps, also known as Samsung Apps, Samsung Updates, or the com.sec.android.app.samsungapps application package that was prevalent on Samsung Android devices. This critical security flaw existed in versions prior to 14120405.03.012 and represents a significant weakness in the application's security architecture that enabled sophisticated attack vectors.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate certificate validation mechanisms within the application's update and download processes. Attackers capable of positioning themselves between the device and the update servers can exploit this weakness through man-in-the-middle attacks to intercept and manipulate communications. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's inability to properly verify SSL/TLS certificates during secure connections, allowing malicious actors to present forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable application.
This vulnerability creates a severe operational impact by enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected devices and obtain sensitive information. The man-in-the-middle attack scenario allows threat actors to modify application updates, inject malicious code, or redirect users to compromised servers. The compromised application could potentially access user credentials, personal data, and device-specific information, while also enabling persistent backdoor access through malicious update installations. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire device ecosystem as the application serves as a critical component for software updates and application management.
The security implications extend beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise potential. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install malicious applications, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access points. This flaw aligns with CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through malicious code injection. The vulnerability demonstrates poor implementation of secure communication protocols and highlights the critical importance of proper certificate pinning and validation mechanisms in mobile applications.
Organizations and users should immediately update to the patched version 14120405.03.012 or later to remediate this vulnerability. Security measures should include implementing certificate pinning, monitoring for suspicious network activity, and ensuring all system updates are properly verified. The vulnerability underscores the necessity for robust mobile security practices and highlights the critical need for continuous security assessment of mobile applications. Additional mitigations include network-level security controls to detect and prevent man-in-the-middle attacks, as well as comprehensive application security testing to identify similar validation weaknesses in other mobile components.