CVE-2022-22286 in Bixby Routines
Summary
by MITRE • 01/10/2022
A vulnerability using PendingIntent in Bixby Routines prior to version 3.1.21.8 in Android R(11.0) and 2.6.30.5 in Android Q(10.0) allows attackers to execute privileged action by hijacking and modifying the intent.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2022
This vulnerability resides in the Bixby Routines component of Samsung's Android-based operating systems, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.1.21.8 for Android R and 2.6.30.5 for Android Q. The core issue involves improper handling of PendingIntent objects within the Bixby Routines framework, creating a privilege escalation vector that allows malicious actors to execute unauthorized actions with elevated privileges. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of intent parameters and lack of proper access controls when processing PendingIntent objects that are intended to trigger system-level operations.
The technical flaw manifests through the manipulation of PendingIntent objects that are used to schedule and execute routine actions within the Bixby framework. When an attacker can predict or influence the creation of these PendingIntents, they can craft malicious intents that appear legitimate to the system but actually trigger unauthorized operations. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-284 which describes improper access control, and specifically relates to CWE-352 which covers Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities in mobile contexts. The vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution within the context of the Bixby Routines service, potentially enabling attackers to perform actions such as modifying system settings, accessing sensitive data, or executing commands with system-level privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it affects the fundamental security model of Samsung's Bixby assistant framework. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to system resources and potentially escalate privileges beyond what would normally be permitted for standard applications. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the system level within the Android framework, allowing for persistent access and potential data exfiltration. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which involves executing malicious code through legitimate system processes, and T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through system service manipulation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on updating to the patched versions of Bixby Routines where Samsung has addressed the PendingIntent handling and implemented proper input validation. System administrators should ensure that all devices running affected versions are updated immediately, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely through malicious applications or compromised device environments. Additional protective measures include implementing application sandboxing, monitoring for unusual PendingIntent creation patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of system services. Organizations should also consider network-level monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and implement mobile device management policies that enforce timely security updates. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper intent validation in mobile security frameworks and highlights the need for robust access control mechanisms in system-level components that handle user automation tasks.