CVE-2019-20575 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with P(9.0) software. The WPA3 handshake feature allows a downgrade or dictionary attack. The Samsung ID is SVE-2019-14204 (August 2019).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2020
This vulnerability affects Samsung mobile devices running Android 9.0 (Pie) operating system and represents a significant weakness in the wireless security implementation. The issue specifically targets the WPA3 handshake mechanism, which is designed to provide enhanced security for wireless networks compared to previous WPA2 standards. The vulnerability allows attackers to perform downgrade attacks that force devices to use weaker WPA2 authentication instead of the more secure WPA3 protocol. Additionally, the flaw enables dictionary attacks against the authentication process, making it possible for adversaries to systematically guess passwords or keys used in the wireless authentication.
The technical flaw stems from improper implementation of the wireless security protocols within Samsung's Android-based operating system. When devices attempt to establish wireless connections, the system fails to properly validate or enforce the use of WPA3 encryption standards. This creates an attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate the authentication process to force the use of older, less secure protocols. The vulnerability exists in the wireless security framework that handles the transition between different WPA versions, particularly during the handshake phase when devices negotiate security parameters. This weakness is classified under CWE-310 as "Cryptographic Issues" and specifically relates to improper implementation of cryptographic protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for Samsung device users in enterprise and consumer environments. Attackers can exploit this weakness to intercept wireless communications, potentially gaining unauthorized access to networks and sensitive data transmitted over wireless connections. The downgrade attack capability means that even networks configured with WPA3 security can be forced into using WPA2, which is vulnerable to various known attacks including KRACK (Key Reinstallation Attacks). Dictionary attacks can be particularly effective against weak passwords or default credentials, allowing unauthorized access to wireless networks. This vulnerability affects not only individual users but also enterprise environments where Samsung devices may be used to access corporate networks, creating potential data exfiltration risks and unauthorized network access points.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates provided by Samsung, as well as network-level security measures to protect against exploitation. Organizations should implement robust network monitoring to detect unusual authentication patterns that might indicate downgrade attacks. The use of additional security layers such as 802.1X authentication and network access control can help mitigate the impact of this vulnerability. Users should ensure their devices are updated with the latest security patches from Samsung, which typically address the improper handling of WPA3 handshake negotiations. Network administrators should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 for network service scanning and T1566 for credential access through network attacks. The security community has documented similar issues in the past where wireless protocol implementations failed to properly enforce security policies, making this a critical area for ongoing monitoring and remediation efforts.