CVE-2021-25331 in Pay Mini Application
Summary
by MITRE • 03/05/2021
Improper access control in Samsung Pay mini application prior to v4.0.14 allows unauthorized access to balance information over the lockscreen in specific condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-25331 represents a critical improper access control flaw within the Samsung Pay mini application that existed prior to version 4.0.14. This security weakness specifically enables unauthorized access to sensitive financial information including account balances while the device is locked, creating a significant risk for users who store payment credentials on their mobile devices. The vulnerability stems from insufficient authorization checks that should have prevented data exposure when the application is running in the background or when the device screen is locked. The flaw demonstrates a failure in the application's security model to properly enforce access restrictions based on the device's security state and user authentication status.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through specific conditions that allow the Samsung Pay mini application to bypass normal access controls when the device lockscreen is active. The improper access control mechanism fails to properly validate whether the user has authenticated before granting access to balance information, effectively creating a backdoor that malicious actors or unauthorized users can leverage to view sensitive financial data. This issue directly relates to CWE-284 which defines improper access control as a weakness where a system fails to properly enforce access restrictions, allowing unauthorized entities to access protected resources. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it operates at the application level within the mobile ecosystem, where users expect their financial information to remain protected even when their device is not actively being used.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-25331 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential financial fraud and identity theft risks. When users can access their account balances through the lockscreen, they inadvertently expose sensitive information that could be exploited by attackers to plan targeted attacks or to gather intelligence for more sophisticated fraud schemes. This vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to perform reconnaissance activities without requiring device unlock credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where devices may be left unattended or where physical security is compromised. The issue affects Samsung Pay mini users who have not updated to version 4.0.14, potentially exposing millions of users to unauthorized access to their financial information.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability involve immediate software updates to the Samsung Pay mini application to version 4.0.14 or later, which includes proper access control enforcement mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive mobile device management policies that ensure all applications are kept current with security patches and that automatic update mechanisms are enabled. The fix typically involves strengthening the application's authorization checks to properly validate user authentication status before granting access to sensitive financial data, regardless of the device's lockscreen state. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, as it allows unauthorized access to protected information that should only be available to authenticated users. System administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring for suspicious access patterns and ensure that users are educated about the importance of maintaining up-to-date applications to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.