CVE-2019-20531 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with P(9.0) (Exynos chipsets) software. The Wi-Fi kernel drivers have an out-of-bounds Read. The Samsung IDs are SVE-2019-15692, SVE-2019-15693 (December 2019).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-20531 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Wi-Fi kernel drivers of Samsung devices equipped with Exynos chipsets running Android 9.0 P. This issue affects the underlying kernel components responsible for managing wireless network connectivity and exposes a fundamental memory access vulnerability that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to device resources. The flaw manifests in the kernel-level Wi-Fi driver implementation where insufficient bounds checking allows for memory reads beyond allocated buffer boundaries, creating potential attack vectors for privilege escalation and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the kernel driver code that handles Wi-Fi communication protocols. When processing certain Wi-Fi frames or configuration parameters, the driver fails to properly validate array indices or buffer limits before performing memory read operations. This allows attackers to craft malicious Wi-Fi packets or manipulate kernel parameters in such a way that memory accesses occur beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive kernel memory contents or causing system instability. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges initially.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates opportunities for attackers to extract confidential information from kernel memory spaces or potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. An attacker positioned within the wireless network range could exploit this flaw by transmitting specially crafted Wi-Fi frames that trigger the out-of-bounds read condition, potentially leading to information disclosure, system crashes, or even full device compromise. The vulnerability affects Samsung devices with Exynos chipsets specifically, making it a chipset-specific issue that requires targeted mitigation strategies for affected device populations. This type of vulnerability directly relates to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate device-level patches and broader network security measures. Samsung released security updates addressing this issue through their regular security bulletins, requiring device users to install the latest firmware updates to resolve the kernel driver flaw. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring of wireless network traffic for suspicious activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on anomalous Wi-Fi frame structures. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers kernel mode rootkits and privilege escalation techniques, emphasizing the need for comprehensive endpoint security measures that monitor for kernel-level anomalies and maintain up-to-date device firmware. Device manufacturers and security teams must prioritize timely patch deployment and implement robust testing procedures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future kernel driver implementations.