CVE-2023-42554 in Pass
Summary
by MITRE • 11/07/2023
Improper Authentication vulnerabiity in Samsung Pass prior to version 4.3.00.17 allows physical attackers to bypass authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-42554 represents a critical improper authentication flaw within Samsung Pass, a biometric authentication application designed to secure user access to mobile devices and services. This weakness specifically affects Samsung Pass versions prior to 4.3.00.17, creating a significant security gap that can be exploited by physical attackers who gain proximity to the target device. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that fail to properly verify user identity during the authentication process, potentially allowing unauthorized individuals to bypass the intended security controls.
The technical implementation of this flaw likely involves inadequate verification of biometric data or authentication tokens, enabling attackers to exploit weaknesses in the cryptographic protocols or session management mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 related to valid accounts and credential access. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it allows physical attackers to bypass authentication without requiring sophisticated attack vectors or network access, making it exploitable in close proximity scenarios such as shoulder surfing, device theft, or man-in-the-middle attacks where the attacker can observe or manipulate the authentication process.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially compromise sensitive personal and corporate data stored on devices protected by Samsung Pass. Attackers could gain access to financial accounts, personal communications, confidential business information, and other protected resources that rely on the security guarantees provided by the authentication system. The vulnerability's exposure window is particularly concerning as it can be exploited without requiring network connectivity or complex exploitation techniques, making it highly practical for attackers to leverage in real-world scenarios. This weakness essentially undermines the fundamental security model that Samsung Pass was designed to provide, creating a backdoor that bypasses the intended biometric security measures.
Organizations and users should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to Samsung Pass version 4.3.00.17 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the authentication flaw. Additional protective measures should include enabling additional security layers such as device encryption, secure screen locks, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all devices running affected versions of Samsung Pass and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of continuous security monitoring and the need for robust authentication system design that properly validates all authentication attempts through multiple verification mechanisms to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.