CVE-2023-50806 in Exynos 9820
Summary
by MITRE • 07/09/2024
A vulnerability was discovered in Samsung Mobile Processor, Wearable Processor, and Modems with versions Exynos 9820, Exynos 9825, Exynos 980, Exynos 990, Exynos 850 Exynos 1080, Exynos 2100, Exynos 2200, Exynos 1280, Exynos 1380 Exynos 1330, Exynos 9110, Exynos W920, Exynos W930, Exynos Modem 5123, Exynos Modem 5300 that allows out-of-bounds access to a heap buffer in the SIM Proactive Command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2026
This vulnerability resides within Samsung's mobile processors and wearable devices, affecting a wide range of hardware platforms including the Exynos 9820, 9825, 980, 990, 850, 1080, 2100, 2200, 1280, 1380, 1330, 9110, W920, W930, and various modem variants. The flaw manifests in the SIM Proactive Command handling mechanism which operates within the heap memory management system of these processors. The vulnerability represents a classic out-of-bounds memory access issue that falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of the length of input data during heap buffer operations. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can allow attackers to manipulate heap memory structures and potentially execute arbitrary code or cause system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the processor receives and processes SIM Proactive Command messages without proper bounds checking on buffer sizes. The heap buffer overflow can be triggered through specially crafted SIM commands that exceed the allocated memory boundaries, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries might leverage such memory corruption to execute malicious payloads. The exploitation could occur through various attack surfaces including SMS messages, SIM card manipulation, or through network-based attacks that leverage the modem functionality of these processors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple Samsung device categories including smartphones, smartwatches, and mobile devices that utilize the affected Exynos processors. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to device functions, access sensitive data stored on the device, or even escalate privileges within the operating system. The widespread adoption of these processors across Samsung's product line means that numerous devices could be affected simultaneously, creating a significant attack surface for threat actors. This vulnerability particularly impacts the security of mobile communications and could potentially enable man-in-the-middle attacks or data exfiltration from compromised devices.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from Samsung to address the heap buffer overflow in the SIM Proactive Command handler. Organizations and users should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous SIM command traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation in embedded systems and mobile processors, emphasizing the need for robust memory management practices. Security teams should consider implementing device isolation measures for critical environments and monitor for any signs of exploitation through memory analysis tools. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the necessity of secure coding practices in mobile processor firmware development and the importance of thorough security testing for all components handling external input data.