CVE-2023-29091 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 URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-29091 affects multiple Samsung Exynos processor variants including the Exynos Mobile Processor, Automotive Processor, and various modem versions such as the Exynos Modem 5123, 5300, Exynos 980, 1080, 9110, and Exynos Auto T5123. This memory corruption flaw stems from inadequate parameter validation during the processing of Session Initiation Protocol Uniform Resource Identifier decoding operations. The affected hardware platforms represent critical components in mobile devices, automotive systems, and telecommunications infrastructure where secure and reliable processing of communication protocols is essential for system integrity and user safety.
The technical flaw manifests when the affected Exynos processors handle SIP URI decoding without proper validation of input parameters, leading to potential memory corruption conditions that could be exploited by malicious actors. This vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient input validation as classified by CWE-20, specifically representing a weakness in parameter validation that allows malformed or unexpected input to cause system instability or arbitrary code execution. The memory corruption aspect aligns with CWE-121 and CWE-122 categories related to buffer overflow conditions and memory safety violations that can result in privilege escalation or system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple domains including mobile communications, automotive connectivity systems, and modem operations where SIP protocol handling is critical for voice and video communication services. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness by crafting malicious SIP URIs that, when processed by the vulnerable Exynos hardware, trigger memory corruption leading to system crashes, unauthorized access, or potential privilege escalation. The automotive applications are particularly concerning given that these processors are used in vehicle connectivity systems where compromised communication integrity could affect vehicle safety systems and passenger data protection.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms for SIP URI processing within the affected Exynos platforms. Security updates and firmware patches should be deployed immediately to address the parameter validation gaps, with particular attention to ensuring that all input parameters are properly sanitized before processing. Organizations should also implement network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous SIP traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, while following ATT&CK framework guidance for detecting and preventing protocol-based attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in embedded systems and mobile processors, emphasizing the need for security-by-design principles in hardware-software integration to prevent similar issues in future implementations.