CVE-2015-8780 in wssyncmlnps
Summary
by MITRE
Samsung wssyncmlnps before 2015-10-31 allows directory traversal in a Kies restore, aka ZipFury.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2015-8780 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in Samsung's wssyncmlnps component that was prevalent in Kies software prior to the 2015-10-31 security patch release. This issue specifically affects the synchronization and restore functionality within Samsung's mobile device management ecosystem, where the wssyncmlnps service handles network-based synchronization operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize file paths during restore operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the file system traversal behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of archive files during Kies restore processes, where the affected component does not adequately validate or sanitize the file paths contained within compressed archives. Attackers can craft specially formatted zip files containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that allow them to write files to arbitrary locations on the target system. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities. The vulnerability exists within the Kies restore functionality, which is designed to facilitate data synchronization between Samsung devices and desktop computers, making it a prime target for exploitation in attack scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can enable attackers to overwrite critical system files, install malicious software, or execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user account. The attack surface is particularly concerning because Kies restore operations typically run with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to compromise the entire system rather than just individual user data. This vulnerability represents a significant threat to Samsung device users who may unknowingly restore compromised backup files, especially in environments where users might be tricked into restoring malicious archives from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would fall under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1074.001 for data staging, as attackers could leverage this to establish persistent access and exfiltrate data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8780 require immediate patch application to the affected Samsung Kies software versions, with administrators ensuring all systems are updated to the latest security patches released by Samsung. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies for all restore operations, including verification of archive integrity and content sanitization before processing. Network administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of Kies restore operations to trusted environments only. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of only restoring backup files from trusted sources and avoiding suspicious restore operations. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation in synchronization services and demonstrates how seemingly benign file handling operations can become security risks when proper sanitization controls are not implemented. System administrators should also consider monitoring restore operations for anomalous file path patterns and implementing automated scanning of restored files for malicious content to detect potential exploitation attempts.