CVE-2021-25400 in Internet
Summary
by MITRE • 06/11/2021
Intent redirection vulnerability in Samsung Internet prior to version 14.0.1.20 allows attacker to execute privileged action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2021
The CVE-2021-25400 vulnerability represents a critical intent redirection flaw discovered in Samsung Internet browser versions prior to 14.0.1.20. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object reference and intent manipulation within mobile browser environments. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate intent parameters that are used to launch applications or perform privileged actions within the Android operating system. The vulnerability specifically affects the way Samsung Internet handles intent URLs that are designed to trigger specific system-level operations or launch other applications with elevated privileges. This issue stems from inadequate validation and sanitization of intent parameters that are processed by the browser component, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the trust relationship between the browser and the underlying Android system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to construct specially crafted URLs that contain malicious intent parameters. These parameters can manipulate the target application or service that the browser attempts to launch, potentially redirecting users to unauthorized applications or executing privileged operations without proper user consent. The flaw occurs when the browser fails to properly validate the intent scheme and its associated parameters, allowing arbitrary values to be passed through to the Android intent system. This creates an environment where attackers can specify any application package name or service component that should be launched, effectively bypassing the normal permission checks and security boundaries that protect the Android system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system-level interface between the browser and Android's component architecture, making it possible to trigger actions that should normally be restricted to system applications or require explicit user approval.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-25400 extends beyond simple phishing attacks or malicious redirections. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform privilege escalation attacks, potentially gaining access to sensitive user data, system resources, or executing unauthorized operations within the Android environment. The vulnerability enables attackers to craft malicious web pages that, when visited, automatically trigger privileged actions such as sending SMS messages, accessing the camera, or launching applications with elevated permissions. This represents a significant compromise of the Android security model, as it allows web-based attacks to bypass the normal sandboxing mechanisms that protect user applications from unauthorized system access. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks such as mobile banking trojan delivery, where attackers can redirect users to malicious applications that have access to financial data or transaction capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-25400 focus primarily on updating to Samsung Internet version 14.0.1.20 or later, which includes proper intent parameter validation and sanitization. Organizations should implement comprehensive mobile device management policies that ensure all Samsung Internet installations are kept up to date with the latest security patches. Network administrators should consider implementing web content filtering solutions that can detect and block known malicious intent URLs. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20: Improper Input Validation and CWE-639: Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key, both of which are categorized under the Software Fault Patterns in the Common Weakness Enumeration system. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007: Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, where attackers can leverage JavaScript-based web delivery methods to exploit the intent redirection mechanism. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of T1547.001: Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder, as attackers may attempt to establish persistence through malicious intent redirections that launch unauthorized applications during system startup or user sessions. Security teams should also consider implementing browser security policies that restrict the ability of web applications to launch system-level intents, and conduct regular security assessments to identify other potential intent-based vulnerabilities in mobile browser implementations.