CVE-2021-25391 in Smart Phone
Summary
by MITRE • 06/11/2021
Intent redirection vulnerability in Secure Folder prior to SMR MAY-2021 Release 1 allows attackers to execute privileged action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2021
The intent redirection vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-25391 resides within the Secure Folder component of Samsung mobile devices, specifically affecting versions prior to the SMR MAY-2021 Release 1 security patch. This vulnerability represents a critical flaw in the Android application framework's intent handling mechanism, where the Secure Folder application fails to properly validate incoming intents from external sources. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and validation processes that allow malicious actors to craft specially crafted intents that can bypass the normal security boundaries of the Secure Folder environment. This flaw enables attackers to manipulate the application's intended behavior by redirecting execution flows to unauthorized components or actions within the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of Android Intent objects within the Secure Folder's permission and access control mechanisms. When the Secure Folder application receives an intent from an external source, it does not adequately verify the origin or authenticity of the intent parameters. This allows attackers to construct malicious intents that can trigger privileged operations within the Secure Folder context, effectively bypassing the normal application sandboxing and permission models. The vulnerability specifically impacts the intent resolution process where the application fails to validate the action, category, or component information contained within the intent object. This weakness creates a pathway for attackers to execute unauthorized privileged actions that should normally be restricted to system-level processes or the Secure Folder's own internal components.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-25391 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within the Secure Folder environment. The vulnerability can be exploited to execute malicious code or perform unauthorized operations such as file access, data exfiltration, or modification of protected system components. Attackers can leverage this flaw to manipulate the Secure Folder's access controls and potentially gain access to encrypted data that users expect to be protected by the application's security model. The implications are particularly severe given that Secure Folder is designed to provide an additional layer of security for sensitive applications and data, making this vulnerability a significant threat to user privacy and data protection. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-707, a weakness related to improper use of an API, specifically in the context of Android intent handling and component resolution. This vulnerability can be mapped to attack techniques within the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1068 category, which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1547.001, covering "Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder" in the context of unauthorized system access and privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-25391 require immediate deployment of the SMR MAY-2021 Release 1 security patches provided by Samsung, which address the underlying intent validation issues within the Secure Folder component. Organizations should implement comprehensive mobile device management policies that ensure all devices receive timely security updates and patches. Additional protective measures include monitoring for suspicious intent patterns and implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict unauthorized applications from sending malicious intents to system components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and intent verification in mobile application security, particularly for components that handle sensitive data or privileged operations. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of similar components within their mobile environments and ensure proper sandboxing and access control mechanisms are in place to prevent similar intent redirection attacks. The remediation process must also include user education regarding the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches on all mobile devices.