CVE-2019-20623 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with N(7.1), O(8.x), and P(9.0) software. Gallery has uninitialized memory disclosure. The Samsung ID is SVE-2018-13060 (February 2019).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2019-20623 represents a critical memory disclosure issue affecting Samsung mobile devices running on Android versions 7.1, 8.x, and 9.0. This flaw exists within the Gallery application component, which is a core system application responsible for managing and displaying media files on Android devices. The vulnerability stems from improper initialization of memory buffers during the application's operation, creating a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure. The Samsung internal tracking identifier SVE-2018-13060 was assigned to this issue in February 2019, indicating the company's recognition of the severity and its classification within their vulnerability management framework. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that can potentially expose sensitive data stored in memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves uninitialized memory access within the Gallery application's processing pipeline. When the application handles media files, it fails to properly initialize certain memory buffers before using them, allowing adjacent memory contents to be read and potentially exposed. This uninitialized memory disclosure can reveal sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, user credentials, application data, or even other running application memory contents. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the Gallery application which typically has broad access to user media files and system resources. From a cybersecurity perspective, this issue aligns with CWE-457: Use of Uninitialized Variable, which is classified as a fundamental programming error that can lead to information disclosure and potential privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-20623 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential attack vectors for more sophisticated exploitation. An attacker could potentially leverage this vulnerability to gain insights into the device's memory layout, which could aid in developing more advanced exploits targeting other system components. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Samsung devices including smartphones and tablets running the specified Android versions, making it a significant concern for enterprise and individual users alike. Given that Gallery applications often process user-generated content and have access to sensitive media files, this memory disclosure could potentially expose personal information, business data, or other confidential materials stored on the device. The vulnerability also represents a potential pathway for attackers to gather intelligence about the device's configuration and running processes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize the immediate application of Samsung's security patches and updates, which would address the uninitialized memory handling issue through proper initialization of memory buffers. Organizations should implement comprehensive mobile device management policies that ensure timely patch deployment across all affected devices. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, particularly in enterprise environments where Samsung devices may be used for sensitive operations. From a defense-in-depth perspective, implementing application sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms can help limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation and T1005: Data from Local System, as it represents a potential pathway for attackers to access sensitive system information and potentially escalate privileges through memory manipulation techniques.