CVE-2024-29152 in Mobile Processor
Summary
by MITRE • 06/04/2024
An issue was discovered in Samsung Mobile Processor, Wearable Processor, Automotive Processor, and Modem Exynos 980, 990, 850, 1080, 2100, 2200, 1280, 1380, 1330, 2400, 9110, W920, W930, Modem 5123, Modem 5300, and Auto T5123. The baseband software does not properly check states specified by the RRC (Radio Resource Control) Reconfiguration message. This can lead to disclosure of sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-29152 affects Samsung's Exynos processor family across multiple device categories including mobile phones, wearables, automotive systems, and modems. This issue resides within the baseband software component responsible for managing radio resource control functions. The flaw manifests when the system fails to properly validate states defined in Radio Resource Control Reconfiguration messages, creating potential pathways for unauthorized information disclosure. The affected processors include widely deployed models such as the Exynos 980, 990, 850, 1080, 2100, 2200, 1280, 1380, 1330, 2400, 9110, W920, W930, and various modem variants including the 5123, 5300, and Auto T5123. This vulnerability represents a critical security gap in the wireless communication stack where proper state validation mechanisms are bypassed, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive operational data from the device's communication channels.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper state validation within the RRC reconfiguration message processing within the baseband software. Radio Resource Control protocols govern how wireless devices establish and maintain communication with cellular networks, managing parameters such as bandwidth allocation, power control, and connection reconfiguration. When the system does not adequately verify the states specified in these reconfiguration messages, it creates opportunities for state manipulation that could expose internal communication parameters, connection metadata, or other sensitive information. This flaw aligns with CWE-252, which describes "Unchecked Return Value" conditions where software fails to properly validate return values or states from system operations, and potentially maps to CWE-200, "Information Exposure," when sensitive data becomes accessible through improper state handling. The vulnerability essentially allows for a form of state injection where malicious actors could manipulate the expected communication states and potentially extract information that should remain protected within the device's secure communication channels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple Samsung device categories, affecting both consumer and industrial applications. Mobile devices running affected Exynos processors become susceptible to information disclosure attacks that could compromise user privacy, network security, and device integrity. Automotive systems utilizing these processors face potential risks to vehicle communication security, which could impact safety-critical systems. Wearable devices and modem implementations also face exposure risks where sensitive communication parameters might be accessible to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability could enable attackers to gain insights into network connection states, signal parameters, or other communication metadata that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. This exposure particularly affects the confidentiality aspects of the communication stack, potentially allowing for traffic analysis, connection state inference, or even protocol-level attacks that exploit the improper state handling. The impact is amplified by the widespread deployment of these processors across Samsung's product portfolio, meaning a single vulnerability affects numerous device types and deployment scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from device manufacturers and network operators. Samsung should implement firmware updates that properly validate RRC reconfiguration message states and strengthen the baseband software's state management mechanisms. The fix should include comprehensive state validation checks that ensure all parameters in reconfiguration messages are properly authenticated and verified before being applied to the device's communication state. System administrators should monitor for and deploy official security patches as soon as they become available, particularly focusing on devices that operate in sensitive environments such as automotive applications or industrial IoT deployments. Network operators should consider implementing additional monitoring for anomalous communication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust state validation in wireless communication protocols and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1592, "Gather Victim Host Information," where attackers seek to understand system states and configurations. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential information disclosure attempts that might exploit this vulnerability, ensuring that sensitive communication parameters remain protected within the device's secure execution environment.