CVE-2021-25418 in Internet
Summary
by MITRE • 06/11/2021
Improper component protection vulnerability in Samsung Internet prior to version 14.0.1.62 allows untrusted applications to execute arbitrary activity in specific condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-25418 represents a critical improper component protection flaw within Samsung Internet browser versions prior to 14.0.1.62. This weakness resides in the application's handling of component security mechanisms, specifically affecting how the browser manages interactions with other applications on the Android platform. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of component boundaries and trust relationships, creating a pathway for malicious applications to exploit the browser's component architecture. Samsung Internet, being a system-level application with elevated privileges, presents a significant attack surface when component protection mechanisms are improperly implemented. The flaw manifests when untrusted applications attempt to invoke activities within the browser's component framework under specific operational conditions, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution. This issue directly impacts the Android security model's integrity by allowing privilege escalation through component manipulation, undermining the principle of least privilege that governs application behavior on mobile platforms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the Android component model's activity management system where Samsung Internet fails to properly validate incoming intent requests from external applications. When an application attempts to launch an activity within Samsung Internet's component hierarchy, the browser's security checks are insufficient to verify the authenticity and authorization of the requesting application. This improper validation allows malicious actors to craft specific intent payloads that bypass normal security boundaries. The vulnerability operates within the context of Android's permission model and component isolation mechanisms, specifically targeting the activity launching and component binding processes. Attackers can leverage this flaw by constructing malicious intents that appear to originate from legitimate sources while actually triggering unauthorized activities within the browser's protected component space. The conditionality of the vulnerability suggests that specific combinations of application states, user interactions, or system configurations must be met for successful exploitation to occur, making the attack vector both sophisticated and targeted.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-25418 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential data compromise, privacy violations, and system integrity breaches. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary activities within Samsung Internet's component environment, potentially gaining access to sensitive user data, cookies, cached information, and browsing history. The implications are particularly severe given that Samsung Internet often serves as the default browser for many Samsung devices and may have access to user credentials, personal information, and network communications. This vulnerability could enable attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks, inject malicious content, or establish persistent backdoors within the browser environment. The attack could also facilitate further exploitation of the device through privilege escalation, potentially allowing access to other system components or applications. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy, specifically representing a component-based attack that leverages Android's inter-application communication mechanisms. The flaw's classification under CWE 693 - Protection Mechanism Failure indicates that the security controls designed to protect the component boundaries are inadequate or improperly configured.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-25418 should prioritize immediate remediation through the installation of Samsung Internet version 14.0.1.62 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address the improper component protection vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive application monitoring to detect suspicious activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual intent handling or unauthorized component access requests. Network security controls should include monitoring for malicious activities originating from compromised browser instances and implementing network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement. Device management policies should enforce regular security updates and application vetting processes to prevent installation of vulnerable versions. Security teams should also consider implementing behavioral analysis tools that can detect anomalous patterns in component interactions that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics suggest that standard Android security measures such as permission controls and application sandboxing were insufficient to prevent exploitation, highlighting the need for additional security layers. Organizations should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify other applications running on the same platform that might be similarly affected by component protection weaknesses. This vulnerability reinforces the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and demonstrates the critical nature of component-level security in mobile operating systems, aligning with security frameworks that emphasize protection mechanism validation and robust component isolation.