CVE-2022-30747 in Smart Things
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2022
PendingIntent hijacking vulnerability in Smart Things prior to 1.7.85.25 allows local attackers to access files without permission via implicit Intent.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2022
The CVE-2022-30747 vulnerability represents a critical PendingIntent hijacking flaw discovered in Samsung SmartThings prior to version 1.7.85.25. This vulnerability resides within the Android application's intent handling mechanism and specifically targets the improper management of PendingIntent objects. The flaw enables local attackers to exploit implicit intents and gain unauthorized access to sensitive files and system resources. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and secure PendingIntent objects, creating a pathway for malicious actors to intercept and manipulate system communications. This issue is particularly concerning as it operates at the system level within the Android framework, where PendingIntent objects serve as crucial components for inter-process communication and system service invocation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper use of PendingIntent flags and the lack of proper security checks when creating implicit intents. When SmartThings applications generate PendingIntent objects, they fail to implement appropriate security measures that would prevent unauthorized modification or interception of these objects. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious intents that target the vulnerable PendingIntent handlers, effectively hijacking the intended system behavior. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application uses FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK or similar flags without proper validation, allowing attackers to create implicit intents that can access restricted system components. This flaw aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access control issues in software applications. The improper handling of PendingIntent objects creates a direct attack surface that can be exploited through local privilege escalation techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-30747 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it provides attackers with potential pathways to escalate privileges and access sensitive system information. Local attackers can exploit this vulnerability to read, modify, or delete files that should normally be restricted to authorized processes only. The attack vector specifically targets the implicit intent mechanism, which is commonly used for system-level operations and inter-application communication. This vulnerability can potentially enable attackers to access personal data, system configuration files, and other sensitive information stored within the application's data directories. The exploitation process involves crafting malicious intents that can be delivered to the vulnerable application, which then processes these intents through the compromised PendingIntent handlers. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by its ability to bypass normal Android security boundaries, as it operates within the system's core intent handling mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected SmartThings applications to version 1.7.85.25 or later, which implements proper PendingIntent validation and security checks. System administrators should ensure that all SmartThings applications are updated to the latest versions and that proper security monitoring is implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. The recommended approach includes implementing proper PendingIntent flag validation, using explicit intents instead of implicit ones where possible, and ensuring that all intent handlers perform adequate input validation. Organizations should also consider implementing application sandboxing measures and monitoring for unusual intent processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability's remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the use of local privilege escalation techniques, and requires comprehensive security measures to prevent unauthorized access to system resources. The patching process should include verification of the updated application's intent handling mechanisms and validation of proper security configurations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.