CVE-2020-28341 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE • 11/08/2020
An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with Q(10.0) (Exynos990 chipsets) software. The S3K250AF Secure Element CC EAL 5+ chip allows attackers to execute arbitrary code and obtain sensitive information via a buffer overflow. The Samsung ID is SVE-2020-18632 (November 2020).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-28341 represents a critical security flaw affecting Samsung mobile devices equipped with Exynos990 chipsets running Android 10.0 operating system. This issue resides within the S3K250AF Secure Element chip which operates at Common Criteria EAL 5+ security level, indicating a moderate to high security assurance rating. The vulnerability manifests as a buffer overflow condition that fundamentally compromises the secure element's integrity and allows for unauthorized code execution. The Samsung internal identification SVE-2020-18632 was assigned to track this specific security incident, highlighting the company's recognition of the severity and impact of this flaw.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the S3K250AF Secure Element's communication protocols. When legitimate input data exceeds allocated buffer boundaries, the system experiences memory corruption that creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code. This buffer overflow condition occurs during normal operational procedures when the secure element processes commands or data from external sources. The flaw specifically affects the chip's ability to maintain secure memory boundaries, allowing attackers to manipulate execution flow and potentially access sensitive information stored within the secure element's memory space. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to encompass comprehensive data compromise and system integrity violations. Attackers exploiting this buffer overflow can potentially gain access to cryptographic keys, authentication credentials, and other sensitive information that the secure element is designed to protect. The implications are particularly severe given that the affected devices operate with EAL 5+ certification, which implies a high level of security assurance for critical applications and data protection. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of the secure element, potentially allowing attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, perform unauthorized transactions, or extract confidential information from the device's secure storage. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects devices that are widely deployed in enterprise and consumer environments where sensitive data processing occurs.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch deployment from Samsung, as the flaw affects devices operating with the Exynos990 chipset and Android 10.0. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies to ensure all affected devices receive security updates promptly. The vulnerability's characteristics suggest that defensive measures should include network monitoring for suspicious communication patterns from affected devices and implementation of additional authentication layers for critical systems. Security teams must also consider the potential for lateral movement within networks if attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability, as the compromised secure element could provide access to other system components. The remediation approach should align with ATT&CK framework tactic TA0002 (Execution) and TA0006 (Credential Access) to address both code execution and information extraction capabilities. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to prepare for potential exploitation attempts and maintain detailed logging of secure element communications to detect anomalous behavior patterns.