CVE-2016-2565 in Galaxy S6
Summary
by MITRE
Samsung SecEmailSync on SM-G920F build G920FXXU2COH2 (Galaxy S6) devices allows attackers to read sent e-mail messages, aka SVE-2015-5081.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2565 represents a critical security flaw in Samsung's SecEmailSync component that affected the Galaxy S6 device model SM-G920F running firmware build G920FXXU2COH2. This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure, where unauthorized parties can gain access to sensitive email communications that have been marked as sent. The issue stems from inadequate access controls within the email synchronization service that processes and stores email data on the device. The vulnerability specifically impacts the email management functionality of the Samsung mobile operating system, creating a persistent security risk for users who rely on the device for corporate or personal communications. Security researchers identified this flaw as part of Samsung's broader email security architecture weaknesses that could be exploited without requiring user interaction or device compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies within the email synchronization service that handles the processing of sent email messages. The flaw occurs when the SecEmailSync component fails to properly enforce access restrictions on email data that has been processed through the device's email client. This creates a scenario where an attacker with appropriate privileges or access to the device can bypass normal security boundaries and retrieve sent email messages that should remain protected. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application level within the device's email management system rather than at the network or operating system level. This allows attackers to exploit the flaw through local system access or through carefully crafted malicious applications that can interact with the email synchronization service. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue under CWE-269 and falls within the ATT&CK technique T1068 for bypassing system protections.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-2565 extends beyond simple data exposure to represent a significant threat to corporate security and personal privacy. Organizations using Galaxy S6 devices for business communications face potential data breaches where sensitive corporate information, strategic communications, and confidential business discussions could be accessed by unauthorized parties. The vulnerability affects both personal and enterprise users who rely on email for daily operations, creating risks for intellectual property theft, competitive intelligence gathering, and personal identity compromise. The fact that this vulnerability affects the email synchronization service means that attackers can potentially access not just the most recently sent messages but also historical communications that have been processed through the device's email system. This creates a persistent threat where compromised devices can continue to expose previously sent emails even after the initial exploitation attempt. Security professionals have documented similar patterns in mobile email vulnerabilities where the synchronization service becomes a persistent attack vector due to its continuous operation and data processing functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2565 require both immediate patching and long-term security architecture improvements. Samsung issued firmware updates to address this vulnerability, but users must ensure their devices receive the appropriate security patches to prevent exploitation. Organizations should implement mobile device management policies that enforce automatic security updates and monitor for vulnerable device configurations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in mobile email applications and the need for proper access control mechanisms within synchronization services. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of mobile email systems and implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additional mitigations include implementing email encryption at rest and in transit, establishing secure email policies that limit sensitive communication on mobile devices, and deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect malicious applications attempting to access email data. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of following security standards such as those defined in the OWASP Mobile Security Project and implementing proper security controls in mobile email applications. Organizations should consider device encryption and secure boot processes as additional layers of protection against this class of vulnerability.