CVE-2018-21048 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with O(8.x) software. There is a Notification leak on a locked device in Standalone Dex mode. The Samsung ID is SVE-2018-12925 (November 2018).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2020
This vulnerability affects Samsung mobile devices running Android 8.x operating system versions where a notification leak occurs on locked devices when operating in standalone dex mode. The issue represents a significant security flaw in the device's notification management system that could potentially expose sensitive information to unauthorized users. The vulnerability was identified and tracked by Samsung under their internal security tracking system with the identifier SVE-2018-12925, indicating the company's recognition of the severity of the issue. The problem specifically manifests when devices are locked and in standalone dex mode, which is a special execution environment for android applications that allows them to run without the standard android framework.
The technical flaw stems from improper handling of notification visibility and access controls within the Samsung implementation of Android 8.x. When a device is locked and operating in standalone dex mode, the system fails to properly restrict notification access, allowing unauthorized parties to view sensitive information that should remain protected. This notification leak represents a violation of fundamental security principles regarding information disclosure and access control. The vulnerability occurs at the system level where notification management components do not properly enforce the security policies that should prevent notification display on locked screens, particularly when applications are running in the specialized dex execution environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it creates an information disclosure risk that could potentially expose personal data, application-specific information, or other sensitive content to anyone with physical access to the device. Attackers who gain physical access to a locked Samsung device running Android 8.x could exploit this vulnerability to view notifications that would normally be restricted when the device is locked. This could include sensitive information from various applications, messages, emails, or other data that should remain private when the device is secured. The vulnerability particularly affects users who store sensitive information on their devices and rely on lock screen protection to maintain privacy, as the leak could occur even when the device appears to be properly secured.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a specific instance of improper information disclosure in mobile operating systems. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability could be classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1056.001, "Input Injection: Keylogging," as it could potentially allow attackers to gather information from notifications that might include sensitive data or credentials. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where devices might be left unattended or where physical security is compromised. Organizations and individuals should consider this vulnerability as part of their overall mobile security posture, especially in enterprise environments where device security is critical. The issue underscores the importance of proper access control implementation and notification management in mobile operating systems, particularly when specialized execution modes are involved.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate software updates from Samsung to address the vulnerability, as well as implementing additional security measures such as strong authentication mechanisms, encryption of sensitive data, and regular security assessments of mobile device configurations. Organizations should also consider device management policies that enforce stricter security settings and monitor for potential exploitation attempts. Users should be educated about the risks associated with leaving devices unattended and the importance of keeping software updated to protect against known vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of mobile operating system components, particularly those related to notification handling and access control mechanisms.