CVE-2019-20555 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with N(7.x) software. The Gallery app allows attackers to view all pictures of a locked device. The Samsung ID is SVE-2019-15189 (October 2019).
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2020
This vulnerability exists in Samsung mobile devices running Android 7.x software where the Gallery application fails to properly enforce access controls for media files stored on locked devices. The flaw represents a critical security oversight that allows unauthorized access to sensitive visual data without proper authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects the Samsung Gallery app implementation and demonstrates a fundamental failure in the device's security model for protecting user content. This issue was classified as SVE-2019-15189 by Samsung and represents a significant weakness in the platform's privacy protection framework. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass the device's lock screen protection mechanisms and gain unrestricted access to all image files stored on the device.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of file access permissions within the Gallery application's codebase. When a device is locked, the application should enforce strict access controls that prevent unauthorized viewing of media files stored in the device's memory. However, the flaw allows attackers to navigate directly to the gallery interface and view all stored pictures without requiring proper authentication or biometric verification. This represents a failure in the application's privilege escalation handling and demonstrates inadequate boundary checking for file access operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control implementation within the gallery subsystem, creating an exploitable path that bypasses the normal security protocols established by the Android operating system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privacy concerns to encompass potential data exfiltration and identity theft risks. Attackers can access personal photographs, sensitive documents, and other media files that may contain confidential information, financial data, or private communications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects locked devices where users expect their content to be protected from unauthorized access. This flaw can be exploited through various attack vectors including physical access to the device, social engineering tactics, or automated exploitation tools that leverage the application's permission bypass mechanism. The vulnerability affects Samsung devices running Android 7.x, which represents a significant portion of the mobile device ecosystem and creates widespread exposure across multiple user bases.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should include immediate software updates from Samsung to address the access control flaw in the Gallery application. Users should be advised to install all available security patches and updates promptly to remediate the vulnerability. Additionally, device administrators should consider implementing additional security measures such as enhanced encryption protocols, mandatory biometric authentication for media access, and regular security audits of application permissions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in security design. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce additional security policies and monitor for unauthorized access attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, highlighting the importance of proper application sandboxing and access control enforcement in mobile security architectures.