CVE-2019-20565 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with O(8.x) and P(9.0) software. Attackers can change the USB configuration without authentication. The Samsung ID is SVE-2018-13300 (September 2019).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2020
This vulnerability exists in Samsung mobile devices running operating system versions Oreo 8.x and Pie 9.0, representing a significant security flaw in the device's USB configuration management system. The issue allows unauthorized attackers to modify USB settings without proper authentication, effectively bypassing the device's security controls that should normally require user verification before making system-level changes. This vulnerability was identified and tracked by Samsung under the internal identifier SVE-2018-13300, with the public disclosure occurring in September 2019, indicating a substantial window between discovery and public awareness. The flaw fundamentally undermines the device's USB security model by enabling attackers to manipulate connection parameters that typically require explicit user consent or authentication.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls within the USB subsystem of Samsung's Android-based operating systems. When a device connects to a computer or other USB peripherals, the system should enforce authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized configuration changes. However, this flaw allows attackers to exploit a weakness in the authentication process, potentially enabling them to switch USB modes such as charging only, file transfer, or debugging modes without proper user verification. The vulnerability likely resides in the kernel-level USB management components or the Android framework's USB configuration handling code, where proper permission checks are either missing or improperly implemented. This weakness aligns with CWE-284 Access Control issues, specifically related to insufficient checks or incorrect enforcement of access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with a potential entry point for various malicious activities. An attacker with physical access to the device or someone who can establish a USB connection can potentially escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to the device's functionality. This weakness could enable attackers to modify USB configurations to enable debugging modes, install malicious software, or redirect device functionality to unauthorized endpoints. The vulnerability particularly affects the device's ability to maintain secure USB connections and could allow for man-in-the-middle attacks where the attacker can intercept or manipulate data transferred through USB connections. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be leveraged under techniques such as T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol DNS, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks when combined with other exploitation methods. The impact extends beyond simple configuration changes as it could provide attackers with persistent access to device features that should normally be restricted.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate device-level protections and long-term system improvements. Device users should ensure their Samsung devices are updated to the latest security patches provided by Samsung, as the vulnerability was likely addressed in subsequent software updates. Organizations should implement USB security policies that restrict unauthorized USB connections and monitor for suspicious USB activity. Network administrators should consider disabling unnecessary USB functionalities when devices are in use, particularly in enterprise environments where security is paramount. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper USB security implementation and reinforces the need for robust access control mechanisms in mobile operating systems. Security teams should also consider implementing device posture checks that verify USB configuration integrity and monitor for unauthorized changes. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of connecting devices to untrusted USB sources and the importance of keeping devices updated with the latest security patches.