CVE-2019-16401 in Galaxy S8 Plus
Summary
by MITRE
Samsung Galaxy S8 plus (Android version: 8.0.0, Build Number: R16NW.G955USQU5CRG3, Baseband Vendor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, Baseband: G955USQU5CRG3), Samsung Galaxy S3 (Android version: 4.3, Build Number: JSS15J.I9300XXUGND5, Baseband Vendor: Samsung Exynos 4412, Baseband: I9300XXUGNA8), and Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (Android version: 4.3, Build Number: JSS15J.I9300XUGND5, Baseband Vendor: Samsung Exynos 4412, Baseband: N7100DDUFND1) devices allow injection of AT+CIMI and AT+CGSN over Bluetooth, leaking sensitive information such as IMSI, IMEI, call status, call setup stage, internet service status, signal strength, current roaming status, battery level, and call held status.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in multiple Samsung Android devices that exposes sensitive cellular information through improper Bluetooth protocol handling. The vulnerability affects Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, Galaxy S3, and Galaxy Note 2 devices running specific Android versions and baseband configurations, creating a significant risk for user privacy and device security. The flaw allows unauthorized injection of AT commands over Bluetooth connections, specifically targeting the AT+CIMI and AT+CGSN commands that are typically used for cellular communication and device identification.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and command injection protection within the Bluetooth communication stack of these devices. When Bluetooth connections are established, the system fails to properly authenticate or sanitize incoming AT commands, allowing malicious actors to inject commands that would normally be restricted to authorized cellular network interfaces. This creates an attack surface where sensitive information such as International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), call status, signal strength, and battery information can be extracted without proper authorization. The vulnerability operates at the cellular baseband level, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses typical application-level security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including location tracking, device fingerprinting, and targeted social engineering campaigns. Attackers can leverage the leaked information to build detailed profiles of device users, track their movements through cell tower triangulation, and potentially impersonate devices on cellular networks. The exposure of call status and setup stage information could enable attackers to monitor communication patterns and identify sensitive conversations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects devices running Android versions 4.3 and 8.0.0, which represent different generations of Samsung's mobile platform and indicate a persistent flaw in the Bluetooth protocol handling across multiple firmware versions.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) and CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues) categories, representing a fundamental flaw in how the system validates and processes incoming communication protocols. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1566 (Phishing) techniques, as it enables both automated information gathering and potential social engineering attacks. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard Bluetooth pairing processes, making it particularly dangerous in public or unsecured environments where devices may be unknowingly paired with malicious actors.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates from Samsung, though the affected devices may no longer receive official support. Users should disable Bluetooth when not actively using wireless connections, implement strict pairing protocols, and monitor for unusual network activity. Network operators should be aware of the potential for location tracking through cell tower information disclosure, and organizations should consider implementing mobile device management policies that restrict Bluetooth functionality on corporate devices. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper protocol isolation and input sanitization in embedded systems, particularly in mobile platforms where multiple communication interfaces must coexist securely. Security researchers should monitor for similar vulnerabilities in other mobile platforms and baseband implementations, as this represents a systemic issue in how cellular protocols are handled over wireless interfaces.