CVE-2019-20582 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with O(8.x) and P(9.0) devices (Exynos9810 chipsets) software. There is a use after free in the ion driver. The Samsung ID is SVE-2019-14837 (August 2019).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-20582 represents a critical use after free flaw within the ion driver component of Samsung's mobile device firmware. This issue specifically affects devices equipped with Exynos9810 chipsets running Android operating system versions Oreo 8.x and Pie 9.0. The ion driver serves as a memory management subsystem responsible for handling memory allocation and deallocation operations within the device's kernel space, making it a prime target for exploitation by malicious actors seeking to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices where freed memory regions are still being referenced or accessed by subsequent operations, creating opportunities for arbitrary code execution and privilege escalation.
The technical nature of this flaw places it squarely within the domain of CWE-416, which defines use after free conditions as a common class of memory safety vulnerabilities. This weakness occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the freed memory region and execute malicious code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability manifests in the ion driver's memory management functions where insufficient validation occurs after memory deallocation, enabling attackers to corrupt memory structures and potentially overwrite critical system data. The Exynos9810 chipset's specific implementation of memory management within the kernel context creates an exploitable attack surface that adversaries can leverage to bypass security boundaries and gain deeper system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential full system compromise and persistent access to affected devices. Attackers exploiting this use after free condition could gain root-level access to the device, enabling them to install malicious applications, extract sensitive user data, modify system configurations, and establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects a substantial number of Samsung devices released during the 2018-2019 timeframe, particularly those in the Galaxy S8, S9, and Note 8 series that utilize the Exynos9810 chipset. This widespread impact makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could affect millions of devices globally, with implications for both individual user privacy and enterprise security environments where these devices might be deployed. The exploitability of this condition is further enhanced by the fact that it operates within kernel space, eliminating the need for user interaction or specific attack vectors that would typically be required for similar vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass both immediate patch deployment and long-term security hardening measures. Samsung's official security patches released in August 2019 addressed this issue through memory management updates to the ion driver component, requiring users to install the latest firmware updates to remediate the vulnerability. Security professionals should implement comprehensive monitoring of affected device fleets to identify any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing device management solutions that can automatically deploy security patches and maintain inventory tracking of vulnerable devices. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of kernel memory safety practices and proper input validation in mobile operating system components, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their mobile device management policies and ensure that all devices receive timely security updates to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.