CVE-2024-34615 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE • 08/07/2024
Out-of-bound write in libsmat.so prior to SMR Aug-2024 Release 1 allows local attackers to cause memory corruption.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-34615 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the libsmat.so library component that affects systems prior to the SMR August 2024 security release. This memory corruption vulnerability resides in a shared library that is likely part of a broader software ecosystem, potentially related to system management or communication protocols. The out-of-bounds write condition occurs when the library processes input data without proper bounds checking, allowing malicious local users to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions that can lead to memory corruption and system instability. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by its location within a shared library, meaning that multiple applications relying on libsmat.so could be simultaneously affected, creating a cascading security risk across the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires local system access, making it a local privilege escalation vector that could be leveraged by attackers who have already gained user-level access to a system. Attackers can craft specific input data that triggers the out-of-bounds write condition, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations and corrupting critical data structures. The flaw likely stems from insufficient validation of array indices or buffer sizes when processing user-supplied data within the library functions. This memory corruption can manifest in various ways including application crashes, data corruption, or more severe outcomes such as privilege escalation. The vulnerability's presence in pre-SMR August 2024 releases indicates that it was introduced in earlier code versions and remained unpatched, creating a window of opportunity for exploitation. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1068 for local privilege escalation and T1059 for execution through system commands, as the corrupted memory could be manipulated to execute malicious payloads.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-34615 extends beyond simple memory corruption, potentially enabling attackers to gain elevated privileges or cause system instability that could affect service availability. Systems running affected versions of the software are at risk of unauthorized access, data compromise, or complete system takeover depending on the specific implementation and memory layout. Organizations utilizing software components that depend on libsmat.so may experience cascading failures if multiple applications are affected by the same memory corruption issue. The vulnerability's local nature means that exploitation does not require network access, making it particularly concerning for environments where local access is difficult to control or monitor. Security teams should prioritize patching affected systems as soon as the August 2024 SMR release becomes available, as the vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that could be exploited by adversaries with local access. The memory corruption could also potentially be leveraged to bypass security controls or create persistent backdoors within the affected system, making timely remediation essential for maintaining overall system integrity. Organizations should implement monitoring for unusual memory access patterns or application crashes that could indicate exploitation attempts, as these may serve as early warning signs of successful attacks against this vulnerability.