CVE-2018-21082 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with N(7.x) software. Dex Station allows App Pinning bypass and lock-screen bypass via the "Use screen lock type to unpin" option. The Samsung ID is SVE-2017-11106 (February 2018).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2020
This vulnerability affects Samsung mobile devices running Android 7.x operating system versions and specifically impacts the Dex Station functionality. The issue resides in the application pinning mechanism that is designed to prevent unauthorized access to pinned applications when the device is in a docked state. The vulnerability stems from a flawed implementation of the screen lock type verification process within the Dex Station component, which creates a security loophole that allows bypassing the intended protection measures.
The technical flaw manifests through the "Use screen lock type to unpin" configuration option that should enforce authentication requirements when attempting to unpin applications from the docked screen. However, this setting fails to properly validate the authentication context, enabling attackers to circumvent the lock-screen protection mechanisms. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to access pinned applications without proper authentication, effectively undermining the security posture of the device when in docked mode. This bypass occurs because the system does not adequately verify whether the user has authenticated using the specified screen lock type before permitting the unpinning operation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it compromises the core security model of Samsung's device management system. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive applications and data that were specifically pinned for protection. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects devices in a docked state where users might expect enhanced security controls, such as when connecting to external displays or keyboards for productivity tasks. This creates a persistent risk where sensitive information could be accessed by unauthorized individuals who gain physical access to the device in its docked configuration.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability according to CWE-284 which relates to improper access control, specifically focusing on insufficient authorization checks within the application pinning framework. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1547.001 which covers registry run keys and startup folder, as the bypass mechanism essentially allows unauthorized access to application execution contexts that should remain protected. Organizations and individuals using affected Samsung devices should immediately apply the available security patches from Samsung, which typically include updates to the Dex Station component and related security frameworks. Additionally, users should avoid leaving devices in docked mode with pinned applications when physical security cannot be guaranteed, and consider disabling the problematic "Use screen lock type to unpin" option until proper patches are applied to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access to pinned applications.