CVE-2018-21059 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with N(7.x) and O(8.x) software. There is Clipboard content visibility in the locked state via the emergency contact picker. The Samsung ID is SVE-2018-11806 (September 2018).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2020
This vulnerability affects Samsung mobile devices running Android Nougat 7.x and Oreo 8.x operating system versions, representing a critical security flaw in the device's lock screen protection mechanisms. The issue stems from improper access controls within the emergency contact picker functionality that allows unauthorized individuals to view clipboard content even when the device is locked. This represents a significant bypass of the device's security model where sensitive information stored in the clipboard can be accessed through the emergency contact selection interface without proper authentication. The vulnerability was identified and documented by Samsung under their internal security tracking system as SVE-2018-11806, highlighting the company's recognition of the severity of the issue.
The technical flaw manifests through a design oversight in the emergency contact picker component that fails to properly enforce authentication requirements when accessing clipboard data. When a user attempts to select an emergency contact from the lock screen, the system inadvertently exposes clipboard content to the attacker, effectively creating an information disclosure channel. This occurs because the emergency contact picker does not properly validate whether the device is locked or whether the user has proper authorization to access clipboard information. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue that allows an attacker to gain access to sensitive data that should remain protected within the secure lock screen environment. This flaw operates at the application layer and represents a failure in the device's access control implementation, which is a core security principle that should prevent unauthorized access to protected resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables an attacker with physical access to a locked device to extract potentially sensitive information from the clipboard without requiring additional authentication factors. This could include personal identification numbers, passwords, confidential messages, or other sensitive data that users may have copied to their clipboard for legitimate purposes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates silently in the background without alerting the user to the unauthorized access, making it difficult to detect and mitigate. Attackers could exploit this flaw to extract information such as account credentials, financial data, or private communications, potentially leading to identity theft, financial fraud, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability affects all Samsung devices running the affected Android versions, creating a widespread security risk for millions of users who may be unaware of the exposure.
Security mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper access controls within the emergency contact picker functionality and ensuring that clipboard content remains protected even when other UI components are accessed. Organizations should prioritize applying the relevant security patches provided by Samsung to address this vulnerability, as the company would have released firmware updates to correct the improper access control implementation. Users should be advised to avoid copying sensitive information to their clipboard when the device is locked, and to ensure that their devices are updated with the latest security patches. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability would be classified as a violation of security controls related to information protection and access control, potentially impacting adherence to standards such as iso 27001, nist cybersecurity framework, and other regulatory requirements that mandate proper protection of sensitive information. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this as a privilege escalation technique that leverages insecure application design to bypass lock screen protections, representing a fundamental failure in the device's security architecture that requires immediate remediation through proper code review and security testing processes.