CVE-2021-25350 in Account
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2021
Information Exposure vulnerability in Samsung Account prior to version 12.1.1.3 allows physically proximate attackers to access user information via log.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-25350 represents an information exposure issue within Samsung Account service that existed prior to version 12.1.1.3. This flaw manifests as a security weakness in how the application handles logging mechanisms, creating potential pathways for unauthorized information disclosure. The vulnerability specifically affects Samsung Account applications running on mobile devices, where the logging functionality inadvertently exposes sensitive user data to attackers who can physically access the target device. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of information exposure flaws that can compromise user privacy and system integrity.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper logging practices within the Samsung Account application where sensitive user information gets written to log files without adequate sanitization or access controls. When the application generates log entries containing user credentials, account details, or other personal information, these entries are stored in accessible locations on the device. Attackers with physical proximity to the device can exploit this weakness by directly accessing the log files or through malware that can read these files. The vulnerability demonstrates poor secure coding practices where sensitive data handling does not follow established security guidelines for protecting user information in mobile applications.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for Samsung Account users who may be targeted by attackers in close physical proximity to their devices. The attack vector requires only physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous in environments where devices may be left unattended or in public spaces. Users who rely on Samsung Account for various services including device synchronization, cloud backups, and account management face potential exposure of their personal information, account credentials, and device-specific data. The vulnerability can lead to identity theft, unauthorized access to user accounts, and potential escalation of attacks through stolen credentials that could be used across multiple platforms or services.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes information exposure vulnerabilities where sensitive information is unintentionally revealed to unauthorized actors. This classification emphasizes the fundamental security principle that applications should never expose sensitive data through insecure mechanisms. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1074.001 which covers data staging through log files, and T1566 which involves phishing and social engineering attacks that can exploit information exposure vulnerabilities. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, as it relies on physical access rather than complex network-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of Samsung Account version 12.1.1.3 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address the logging mechanism issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive mobile device management policies that include regular security updates and monitoring for similar vulnerabilities. Users should be educated about the importance of physical security for their devices and the potential risks of leaving devices unattended in public spaces. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of mobile applications and implement proper logging controls that ensure sensitive data is either not logged or properly sanitized before being written to persistent storage. The remediation process should also include reviewing and updating logging configurations to ensure that no personally identifiable information or sensitive account data is stored in accessible log files.