CVE-2023-42548 in Account
Summary
by MITRE • 11/07/2023
Use of implicit intent for sensitive communication vulnerability in startMandatoryCheckActivity in Samsung Account prior to version 14.5.00.7 allows attackers to access arbitrary file with Samsung Account privilege.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-42548 represents a critical security flaw in Samsung Account applications prior to version 14.5.00.7, specifically within the startMandatoryCheckActivity component. This issue stems from improper handling of Android intent mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit implicit intent usage for unauthorized file access. The vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient input validation and improper privilege management, aligning with CWE-200 and CWE-707. Samsung Account serves as a critical authentication and synchronization service for various Samsung ecosystem components, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could enable attackers to access sensitive user data, device configuration files, and potentially other system resources through the elevated privileges granted to the Samsung Account application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the misuse of implicit intents, which are Android components that allow applications to request services from other applications without explicitly specifying the target component. In the affected Samsung Account versions, the startMandatoryCheckActivity method improperly handles incoming intents, allowing attackers to craft malicious intents that bypass normal security checks. When the application processes these crafted intents, it inadvertently grants access to arbitrary files within the application's sandbox or even system directories, depending on the privilege escalation capabilities. This flaw specifically affects the implicit intent resolution mechanism where the application fails to properly validate the source or content of the intent, enabling malicious actors to manipulate the flow of sensitive operations. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of improper access control where the application assumes legitimate intent sources without sufficient verification.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-42548 extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially enabling full system compromise through privilege escalation and lateral movement within the device. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive user information including account credentials, personal data, device identifiers, and potentially other applications' data stored within the Samsung Account ecosystem. The attack vector requires minimal user interaction and can be executed remotely through various means such as malicious applications, compromised websites, or even physical device access. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1546.001 for system binary proxy, as attackers could use the compromised Samsung Account application to execute malicious code or manipulate system processes. The privilege escalation aspect means that once an attacker gains access through this vulnerability, they could potentially access other applications or system components that require Samsung Account privileges, creating a potential escalation path to full device compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-42548 primarily focus on updating to Samsung Account version 14.5.00.7 or later, which includes proper intent validation and privilege management controls. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all Samsung devices running affected versions receive immediate updates. Security teams should monitor for any suspicious activities related to Samsung Account applications and implement behavioral analysis to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network administrators should consider implementing application control policies that restrict the execution of unauthorized applications and monitor for unusual intent-based communications. Additionally, device manufacturers and security researchers should conduct thorough code reviews focusing on intent handling mechanisms and privilege escalation pathways. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices around Android intent handling, particularly in applications that manage sensitive user data or require elevated privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can enforce security policies and automatically update applications to mitigate such vulnerabilities. This case study reinforces the necessity of following secure development practices as outlined in OWASP Mobile Top 10 and NIST Mobile Security Guidelines, particularly focusing on proper input validation and privilege management in mobile applications.