CVE-2016-3996 in KNOX
Summary
by MITRE
ClipboardDataMgr in Samsung KNOX 1.0.0 and 2.3.0 does not properly check the caller, which allows local users to read KNOX clipboard data via a crafted application.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3996 resides within Samsung KNOX security framework version 1.0.0 and 2.3.0, specifically within the ClipboardDataMgr component responsible for managing clipboard operations in secure environments. This flaw represents a critical security oversight that undermines the integrity of the KNOX container's isolation mechanisms designed to protect sensitive corporate data. The vulnerability stems from insufficient caller authentication checks within the clipboard data management system, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious applications to bypass normal security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic privilege escalation flaw where the ClipboardDataMgr component fails to validate the identity and permissions of applications attempting to access clipboard data. This weakness enables local adversaries with malicious applications to perform unauthorized data extraction from the KNOX secure clipboard, which typically contains sensitive information such as passwords, confidential documents, or other corporate data that should remain isolated from regular applications. The flaw operates at the system level where proper access controls should prevent unauthorized data access but instead allows crafted applications to read clipboard contents that are normally restricted to legitimate KNOX applications.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise security environments where Samsung KNOX is deployed to protect corporate data on mobile devices. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including credential harvesting, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within corporate networks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gather sensitive information from secure clipboard operations, potentially compromising multiple systems if the clipboard contains authentication tokens, API keys, or other critical credentials. The vulnerability affects organizations using Samsung devices with KNOX versions 1.0.0 and 2.3.0, representing a substantial risk to mobile device management and enterprise security policies.
Security mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected KNOX versions, implementing additional application sandboxing measures, and establishing monitoring protocols for suspicious clipboard access patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based detection mechanisms to identify potential exploitation attempts and enforce stricter application permission controls. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically addressing improper access control mechanisms within Android security frameworks, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1119 Automated Collection, where adversaries collect clipboard data for credential harvesting purposes. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of privilege escalation and information disclosure attacks that require comprehensive security hardening measures beyond simple patch management to ensure effective protection against similar threats.