CVE-2020-12751 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with O(8.X), P(9.0), and Q(10.0) software. The Quram image codec library allows attackers to overwrite memory and execute arbitrary code via crafted JPEG data that is mishandled during decoding. The Samsung ID is SVE-2020-16943 (May 2020).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-12751 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Samsung's mobile device software ecosystem affecting operating systems version 8.x, 9.0, and 10.0. This security weakness resides within the Quram image codec library which serves as a fundamental component for processing and decoding image files on Samsung devices. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices during the JPEG decoding process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through carefully crafted image data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the Quram image codec library processes malformed JPEG files that contain specially constructed data sequences. These sequences trigger buffer overflow conditions or memory corruption issues within the decoding routines, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious code. The flaw operates at the image processing layer where the library fails to properly validate the structure and boundaries of JPEG data before attempting to decode and render the image content. This memory corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application or system process.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to Samsung mobile device users as it can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious email attachments, compromised websites, or malicious messaging applications. The exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond viewing or processing the malicious JPEG file, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or social engineering attacks. The vulnerability affects all Samsung devices running the affected Android versions, creating a widespread attack surface that could potentially compromise millions of devices globally. The memory overwrite capability provides attackers with the ability to escalate privileges and gain deeper system access.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices that could be addressed through proper bounds checking, memory allocation verification, and secure coding practices. Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment for affected Samsung devices and implement network-level protections to block malicious JPEG content. Additionally, user education regarding safe browsing practices and email attachment handling remains crucial in mitigating the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust image processing libraries and proper security testing of multimedia components within mobile operating systems, particularly in environments where device security and user privacy are paramount considerations.