CVE-2022-28778 in Security Supporter
Summary
by MITRE • 04/12/2022
Improper access control vulnerability in Samsung Security Supporter prior to version 1.2.40.0 allows attacker to set the arbitrary folder as Secret Folder without Samsung Security Supporter permission
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2022
The CVE-2022-28778 vulnerability represents a critical access control flaw within Samsung Security Supporter, a mobile security application designed to protect user data through encryption and secure storage mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 1.2.40.0 and fundamentally undermines the application's core security model by allowing unauthorized manipulation of secure storage containers. The flaw exists in the application's permission handling system, where legitimate access controls fail to properly validate user authorization before permitting folder configuration changes. This weakness creates a path for attackers to bypass intended security boundaries and manipulate the application's secret folder functionality without proper authorization.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and privilege escalation mechanisms within the Samsung Security Supporter application. When users attempt to configure secret folders, the application fails to properly authenticate and authorize these operations, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the underlying file system structures. The flaw operates at the application layer where access control decisions should be enforced but are instead circumvented through improper validation of user permissions. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which describes improper access control, specifically focusing on inadequate authorization checks during critical operations. The issue manifests when the application processes folder creation or modification requests without adequately verifying that the requesting entity possesses the necessary privileges to perform such actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data compromise and privacy violations. Attackers who successfully exploit this flaw can establish arbitrary folders as secure containers, effectively bypassing the application's intended security architecture. This capability allows malicious actors to create hidden storage areas that can be used to conceal sensitive data or malicious payloads, undermining the fundamental purpose of the security application. The vulnerability particularly affects Samsung devices running vulnerable versions of the Security Supporter application, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited remotely or through local attack vectors. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 which involves social engineering and credential access, as attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to secure data storage areas without proper authentication mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-28778 should prioritize immediate patch deployment for all affected Samsung devices running Security Supporter versions prior to 1.2.40.0. Users should be advised to update their applications immediately and verify that their security software is operating with the latest security patches. System administrators should implement monitoring for unauthorized folder creation activities and establish baseline configurations that prevent arbitrary folder manipulation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control implementation and reinforces the need for comprehensive security testing of mobile applications before deployment. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting and file integrity monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Security teams should review their incident response procedures to ensure preparedness for potential exploitation of this vulnerability and maintain awareness of related threats in the mobile security landscape.