CVE-2019-20622 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with N(7.x), O(8.x), and P(9.0) (Exynos chipsets) software. There is a baseband stack overflow. The Samsung ID is SVE-2018-13188 (February 2019).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2020
This vulnerability represents a critical baseband stack overflow issue affecting Samsung mobile devices running Android versions 7.x, 8.x, and 9.0 exclusively on Exynos chipsets. The flaw exists within the baseband processor component which handles cellular communication protocols and manages radio frequency operations for network connectivity. The vulnerability was identified and tracked under Samsung's internal tracking system as SVE-2018-13188, with the disclosure occurring in February 2019. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which categorizes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The baseband processor operates in a privileged execution context separate from the main application processor, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for mobile device security.
The technical implementation of this stack overflow occurs when the baseband firmware fails to properly validate input parameters during cellular communication processing. Attackers can potentially exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious network signals or manipulating cellular protocol communications that traverse through the baseband component. The overflow allows for arbitrary code execution within the baseband processor's memory space, which operates at the highest privilege level on the device. This creates a severe attack surface since the baseband processor controls fundamental cellular functions including voice calls, text messaging, and data connectivity. The vulnerability's impact is amplified because it affects the core communication infrastructure of the device, potentially enabling remote attacks that could intercept communications, inject malicious data, or completely compromise device functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise as it affects the fundamental cellular communication capabilities that users rely on daily. Attackers could potentially exploit this flaw to perform man-in-the-middle attacks on cellular communications, intercept sensitive data transmitted over mobile networks, or even disable cellular connectivity entirely. The vulnerability affects all Samsung devices with Exynos chipsets running the specified Android versions, creating a substantial attack surface across millions of devices. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers could leverage the compromised baseband to establish persistent communication channels or deliver malicious payloads through cellular networks. The attack vector typically involves sending specially crafted network signals that trigger the buffer overflow condition during baseband processing.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from Samsung, as the issue resides in the baseband processor firmware that cannot be patched through regular operating system updates. Users should ensure their devices receive the latest security patches from Samsung, particularly those released in response to this specific vulnerability. Network operators should also be vigilant about deploying baseband firmware updates that address this issue. Security researchers and device manufacturers should implement enhanced monitoring for similar vulnerabilities in baseband components, as these types of processor-level flaws often represent persistent attack vectors that can be exploited for extended periods. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure firmware development practices and proper input validation in embedded systems, particularly those handling sensitive communication protocols. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous cellular traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts against such baseband vulnerabilities.