CVE-2024-20837 in Internet
Summary
by MITRE • 03/05/2024
Improper handling of granting permission for Trusted Web Activities in Samsung Internet prior to version 24.0.0.41 allows local attackers to grant permission to their own TWA WebApps without user interaction.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-20837 represents a critical security flaw in Samsung Internet browser's implementation of Trusted Web Activities (TWAs) prior to version 24.0.0.41. This issue falls under the category of improper permission handling and directly impacts the browser's security model for web applications. Trusted Web Activities are designed to provide a secure bridge between web applications and native mobile experiences, allowing web apps to function with native-like capabilities while maintaining security boundaries. The flaw specifically affects how the browser processes permission requests for TWAs, creating an exploitable condition that bypasses normal user consent mechanisms.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of permission granting logic within Samsung Internet's TWA implementation. When a local attacker executes malicious code or exploits a compromised application, they can manipulate the permission system to automatically grant required permissions to their own TWA web applications without requiring explicit user interaction. This improper handling creates a privilege escalation scenario where malicious actors can gain unauthorized access to system resources or user data that would normally require explicit user consent. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in permission management and falls under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-20837 is significant for users of affected Samsung Internet versions, as it enables attackers to silently escalate privileges and access sensitive functionality. This vulnerability can be exploited in various attack scenarios including malicious app installation, data exfiltration, or persistent access to user accounts and device resources. The local attacker requirement means that the exploit can be executed from within the device itself, potentially through compromised applications or malicious code execution. This creates a particularly dangerous threat vector because it operates at the browser level and can bypass traditional security boundaries that protect user data and device integrity. The vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and user consent, which are fundamental security concepts in mobile application security frameworks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Samsung Internet to version 24.0.0.41 or later, which addresses the improper permission handling logic. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for unauthorized permission changes and maintain updated threat intelligence on similar vulnerabilities affecting mobile browsers. The remediation process should include verifying that all affected devices have received the security update and conducting security assessments to ensure no malicious activity has occurred. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be leveraged for persistence and privilege escalation within the mobile device environment. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting and behavioral monitoring to detect anomalous permission granting activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.