CVE-2024-28067 in Exynos Modem 5300
Summary
by MITRE • 07/09/2024
A vulnerability in Samsung Exynos Modem 5300 allows a Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacker to downgrade the security mode of packets going to the victim, enabling the attacker to send messages to the victim in plaintext.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-28067 resides within the Samsung Exynos Modem 5300 firmware, representing a critical security flaw that fundamentally undermines the integrity of mobile communications. This vulnerability specifically targets the modem's handling of security protocols during packet transmission, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the communication channel between mobile devices and network infrastructure. The affected modem chipset is widely deployed across various Samsung mobile devices, making the potential impact substantial and far-reaching across the mobile ecosystem. The flaw operates at the network protocol level, where proper security mode negotiation should occur but fails to maintain the established cryptographic protections.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of security mode parameters during the packet processing lifecycle within the modem. When legitimate communication packets are transmitted through the Exynos Modem 5300, the security context that should be maintained throughout the transmission chain becomes susceptible to manipulation by an attacker positioned within the network. This allows for a sophisticated man-in-the-middle attack where the malicious actor can intercept packets and systematically downgrade their security protocols from encrypted to plaintext transmission. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed without detection, as the downgrade occurs at the modem level before packets reach their intended destination. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear weakness in the modem's security policy enforcement mechanisms, where proper protocol negotiation fails to validate the security context of incoming packets.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-28067 extends beyond simple data interception, as it fundamentally compromises the confidentiality and integrity of mobile communications. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive information including personal messages, financial data, location information, and other private communications that should remain encrypted. The plaintext transmission capability enables attackers to perform detailed analysis of communication patterns, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities such as credential harvesting or social engineering attacks. Mobile devices using affected Exynos Modem 5300 chipsets become vulnerable to persistent surveillance, with the attack vector remaining undetected by standard mobile security mechanisms. The vulnerability affects all communication protocols that rely on the modem for packet processing, including SMS, MMS, internet traffic, and VoIP communications, creating a comprehensive breach of mobile security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from Samsung, as the primary fix requires modifications to the modem's security policy enforcement and packet validation mechanisms. Network operators should implement additional monitoring for unusual security mode transitions and establish detection protocols for anomalous packet behavior. Device users must ensure their devices are updated promptly and should avoid untrusted networks where the attack can be more easily executed. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weakness in security protocols, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through social engineering and T1041 for data compression and encryption bypass. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level security controls and encryption monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires coordinated efforts between Samsung, mobile network operators, and device manufacturers to ensure comprehensive coverage of affected devices and prevent attackers from leveraging this vulnerability for prolonged surveillance operations.