CVE-2023-26498 in Exynos Modem 5123
Summary
by MITRE • 03/23/2023
An issue was discovered in Samsung Baseband Modem Chipset for Exynos Modem 5123, Exynos Modem 5300, Exynos 980, Exynos 1080, Exynos Auto T5126. Memory corruption can occur due to improper checking of the number of properties while parsing the chatroom attribute in the SDP (Session Description Protocol) module.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-26498 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Samsung's baseband modem chipsets, specifically affecting the Exynos Modem 5123, Exynos Modem 5300, Exynos 980, Exynos 1080, and Exynos Auto T5126 platforms. This issue resides within the Session Description Protocol (SDP) module, which is fundamental to establishing and managing multimedia sessions in communication systems. The flaw manifests during the parsing of chatroom attributes within SDP messages, creating a potential pathway for adversaries to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities that could compromise the integrity of the affected devices.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of property counts during SDP attribute parsing operations. When processing chatroom attributes, the modem chipset fails to properly verify the number of properties being processed, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption scenarios. This improper validation creates a condition where maliciously crafted SDP messages could trigger memory corruption, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of the length of input data, and CWE-170, which covers issues related to improper input handling leading to memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-26498 extends beyond simple device instability, as it could enable sophisticated attack vectors through the SDP module's role in telecommunications infrastructure. Mobile devices utilizing these affected chipsets could become vulnerable to remote code execution when processing malicious SDP messages, particularly in scenarios involving voice over IP communications, video conferencing, or any application utilizing SDP for session management. The vulnerability's presence in automotive platforms like the Exynos Auto T5126 adds additional concern, as it could potentially impact vehicle communication systems and safety-critical functions. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be leveraged for privilege escalation and persistence within mobile device environments, as it targets foundational communication protocols that are essential for device operation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Samsung, as the manufacturer has likely developed patches addressing the memory validation issues. Network administrators and security teams should implement SDP message filtering mechanisms to prevent processing of malformed chatroom attributes, particularly in enterprise environments where mobile devices interact with external communication systems. The implementation of input validation controls and bounds checking within SDP parsing libraries represents a critical defensive measure that aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-144 for mobile device security. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of SDP traffic can help detect potential exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments of communication protocols should be conducted to identify similar validation vulnerabilities in other components of the mobile ecosystem.