CVE-2015-4034 in Galaxy
Summary
by MITRE
The createFromParcel method in the com.absolute.android.persistence.MethodSpec class in Samsung Galaxy S5s allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary files via a crafted Parcelable object in a serialized MethodSpec object.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4034 represents a critical security flaw in the Samsung Galaxy S5's implementation of Android's parcelable mechanism within the absolute android persistence framework. This vulnerability specifically targets the createFromParcel method located in the com.absolute.android.persistence.MethodSpec class, which serves as a crucial component in Android's inter-process communication system. The flaw arises from insufficient validation of serialized data structures that are processed through the parcelable interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's deserialization process.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation during the deserialization of Parcelable objects, which falls under the category of insecure deserialization as classified by CWE-502. When a maliciously crafted MethodSpec object is transmitted through a Parcelable interface, the createFromParcel method fails to adequately sanitize or validate the incoming data before processing. This allows attackers to construct a specially formatted serialized object that, when processed by the vulnerable method, triggers unintended execution paths within the application. The vulnerability essentially enables a remote code execution scenario where attackers can inject and execute arbitrary code on the target device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides remote attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary files on Samsung Galaxy S5 devices without requiring physical access or user interaction beyond the initial transmission of the malicious parcelable object. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through network-based attacks, potentially allowing threat actors to gain full control over affected devices. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that the vulnerability exists within a core Android framework component, meaning that multiple applications potentially affected by this flaw could be targeted simultaneously. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, persistent backdoor installation, and unauthorized access to sensitive user information stored on the device.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with the techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Tactic of Execution and Persistence. Specifically, it maps to techniques such as "Command and Scripting Interpreter" and "Exploitation for Client Execution" where attackers leverage system vulnerabilities to execute malicious code. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no special privileges beyond network access and can be automated through various attack frameworks. Organizations and security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Samsung security patches, monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns, and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation in Android applications and the need for thorough security testing of all components that handle serialized data, particularly those implementing the Parcelable interface.