CVE-2022-36622 in mTower
Summary
by MITRE • 09/02/2022
Samsung Electronics mTower v0.3.0 and earlier was discovered to contain a NULL pointer dereference via the function TEE_GetObjectInfo1.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-36622 affects Samsung Electronics mTower firmware version 0.3.0 and earlier, representing a critical NULL pointer dereference flaw within the Trusted Execution Environment TEE_GetObjectInfo1 function. This issue resides in the security-sensitive TEE component responsible for managing cryptographic objects and secure operations within the device's trusted execution environment. The vulnerability manifests when the TEE_GetObjectInfo1 function attempts to access a NULL pointer, which occurs during specific object information retrieval operations that fail to properly validate input parameters or object state before proceeding with memory access operations. The flaw represents a fundamental breakdown in input validation and memory management practices within the secure execution environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate null pointer checks within the TEE_GetObjectInfo1 function, which is designed to retrieve metadata about cryptographic objects stored within the trusted execution environment. When malicious or malformed input parameters are passed to this function, the code fails to validate whether the target object reference is valid before attempting to dereference it, leading to a system crash or potential privilege escalation. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, which is classified as a critical weakness in software security architecture. The function's failure to properly handle edge cases and invalid object states creates an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by attackers with access to the device's TEE interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it could potentially enable attackers to disrupt secure operations within the device's trusted execution environment. In a practical attack scenario, an adversary could craft specific inputs to trigger the NULL pointer dereference, potentially causing system crashes that could be exploited for denial of service or as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the secure element within Samsung's mTower devices, which could compromise the security of cryptographic operations, key management processes, and other sensitive functions that depend on the TEE's proper operation. This issue particularly concerns the ATT&CK technique T1547.001 for Registry Run Keys and Startup Folder, as it could potentially be used to establish persistence mechanisms within the secure environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from Samsung to address the NULL pointer dereference in the TEE_GetObjectInfo1 function. Organizations should implement strict input validation and parameter checking within all TEE functions to prevent similar issues from occurring in future releases. The fix should include comprehensive null pointer checks before any memory dereference operations, proper error handling for invalid object references, and robust validation of all input parameters to the TEE functions. Additionally, security monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual patterns in TEE function calls that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and should be addressed through comprehensive code review processes that specifically focus on memory management and input validation within trusted execution environments. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections and sandboxing mechanisms to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities if they are not immediately patched.