CVE-2024-27380 in Exynos 980
Summary
by MITRE • 06/05/2024
An issue was discovered in Samsung Mobile Processor Exynos 980, Exynos 850, Exynos 1280, Exynos 1380, and Exynos 1330. In the function slsi_set_delayed_wakeup_type(), there is no input validation check on a length of ioctl_args->args[i] coming from userspace, which can lead to a heap over-read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-27380 affects Samsung mobile processors including the Exynos 980, Exynos 850, Exynos 1280, Exynos 1380, and Exynos 1330 chipsets. This issue resides within the kernel-level driver functionality responsible for managing delayed wakeup operations in mobile device power management systems. The flaw manifests in the slsi_set_delayed_wakeup_type() function where insufficient input validation occurs on data received from userspace applications through ioctl (input/output control) system calls. This particular vulnerability represents a classic example of improper input validation that can lead to memory corruption issues within the device's operating system kernel.
The technical flaw stems from the absence of proper bounds checking on the length parameter of ioctl_args->args[i] which originates from untrusted userspace input. When userspace applications interact with the kernel driver through ioctl calls, they provide arguments that should be rigorously validated before processing. In this case, the function fails to verify that the length parameter falls within acceptable bounds, allowing malicious or malformed input to cause the kernel to read beyond allocated heap memory regions. This heap over-read condition can result in information disclosure, system instability, or potentially enable more sophisticated exploitation techniques depending on the memory layout and surrounding data structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption as it affects the fundamental security posture of Samsung mobile devices running affected processors. Mobile processors like those in the Exynos family handle critical system functions including power management, security features, and hardware abstraction layers where kernel-level vulnerabilities can provide attackers with significant privileges. The heap over-read condition could potentially expose sensitive kernel memory contents to userspace applications, which might include cryptographic keys, security tokens, or other confidential information stored in adjacent memory regions. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses improper validation of length parameters in input handling, and represents a critical weakness in the kernel's memory management and input sanitization processes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms within the affected kernel driver functions. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize updating firmware and kernel components to address this issue through official security patches. The recommended approach includes adding explicit length validation checks before processing ioctl_args->args[i] parameters, implementing proper bounds checking, and ensuring that all userspace input is treated as untrusted. Additionally, security researchers should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, particularly within the privilege escalation and defense evasion categories where kernel-level memory corruption vulnerabilities can enable attackers to gain deeper system access. Device manufacturers should also implement runtime monitoring to detect anomalous ioctl behavior patterns and establish more robust kernel memory protection mechanisms to prevent similar issues in future implementations.