CVE-2020-13834 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with O(8.x), P(9.0), and Q(10.0) (with TEEGRIS) software. Secure Folder does not properly restrict use of Android Debug Bridge (adb) for arbitrary installations. The Samsung ID is SVE-2020-17369 (June 2020).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2020-13834 represents a critical security flaw in Samsung's Secure Folder implementation across Android 8.0, 9.0, and 10.0 operating systems. This issue specifically affects devices utilizing the TEEGRIS security framework and exposes a dangerous misconfiguration in the Android Debug Bridge (adb) access controls. The vulnerability allows unauthorized parties to leverage adb functionality for arbitrary application installations, fundamentally undermining the security boundaries that Secure Folder is designed to maintain. This flaw exists within the Samsung-specific security implementation that integrates with the Android operating system's Trusted Execution Environment, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and unauthorized system modifications.
The technical root cause stems from insufficient access controls within the Secure Folder component that governs adb usage. Typically, adb should be restricted to authorized debugging sessions and require proper authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized installations. However, in affected Samsung devices, the system fails to properly validate adb commands originating from Secure Folder, allowing malicious actors to bypass these security restrictions. This misconfiguration creates a scenario where adb commands can be executed with elevated privileges, enabling the installation of arbitrary applications without proper user consent or verification. The vulnerability specifically impacts the TEEGRIS software framework that Samsung employs for enhanced security features, indicating a deeper integration point where security controls have been improperly enforced.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to perform unauthorized application installations directly within the Secure Folder environment. This capability allows for the deployment of malicious applications that can operate in a trusted security context, potentially accessing sensitive data stored within the Secure Folder. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers who gain physical access to affected devices or who can execute remote code. This flaw particularly concerns security researchers and organizations that rely on Secure Folder for protecting sensitive information, as it essentially nullifies the security boundary that the feature was designed to establish. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including physical device compromise, malicious USB connections, or remote exploitation techniques that leverage adb functionality.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on immediate device updates and proper configuration management. Samsung released security patches addressing this issue in their subsequent software updates, and users should immediately install these patches to remediate the vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict policies regarding adb usage and disable unnecessary debugging features on production devices. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in security design. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1107 (File System Permissions Modification) as attackers can leverage the compromised adb functionality to execute commands and modify system permissions. Additionally, this issue demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement in mobile security frameworks, particularly when dealing with trusted execution environments that are expected to provide strong security boundaries.