CVE-2023-29090 in Exynos Mobile Processor
Summary
by MITRE • 04/15/2023
An issue was discovered in Exynos Mobile Processor, Automotive Processor and Modem for Exynos Modem 5123, Exynos Modem 5300, Exynos 980, Exynos 1080, Exynos 9110, and Exynos Auto T5123. Memory corruption can occur due to insufficient parameter validation while decoding an SIP Via header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2025
This vulnerability exists within Samsung's Exynos mobile processors and automotive systems, specifically affecting models including the Exynos 980, 1080, 9110, and various modem variants such as the 5123 and 5300. The flaw manifests as a memory corruption issue that occurs during the processing of Session Initiation Protocol SIP Via headers, which are fundamental components in VoIP communications and mobile network signaling. The vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter validation mechanisms within the SIP header decoding functionality, creating a pathway for maliciously crafted headers to trigger unintended memory behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the processor's handling of SIP protocol elements where insufficient input validation allows for malformed Via header parameters to be processed without proper bounds checking or sanitization. When the system encounters a specially crafted SIP Via header containing malformed parameters, the decoding routine fails to properly validate the input boundaries, leading to memory corruption through buffer overflows or other memory management errors. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, which represents a common class of memory safety issues in systems processing network protocol data. The flaw specifically impacts the network processing units within these processors, potentially affecting communication channels used for cellular signaling, VoIP services, and other SIP-based applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it could enable attackers to manipulate the processor's execution flow or potentially achieve arbitrary code execution within the context of the affected network processing components. This presents significant risks for automotive systems where the Exynos Auto T5123 processor is deployed, as it could potentially compromise vehicle communication systems or enable unauthorized access to critical automotive functions. The vulnerability affects systems that process SIP signaling, which are prevalent in mobile devices, automotive infotainment systems, and various networked embedded devices. Attackers could exploit this weakness by sending malicious SIP messages to devices running affected Exynos processors, potentially leading to system crashes, unauthorized data access, or more severe exploitation outcomes depending on the system's security architecture and memory protection mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on firmware updates from Samsung and device manufacturers, as the issue resides within processor-level software implementations rather than user-space applications. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous SIP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where these processors are deployed. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as exploitation could involve crafting malicious SIP headers to manipulate system behavior. Additionally, defensive measures should include network segmentation to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted SIP traffic and implementation of SIP protocol filtering rules to prevent malformed headers from reaching the vulnerable processing units. System administrators should also consider implementing memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries or address space layout randomization to reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.