CVE-2024-34618 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE • 08/07/2024
Improper access control in System property prior to SMR Aug-2024 Release 1 allows local attackers to access cell related information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical access control flaw in the system property management component of mobile device firmware prior to the SMR August 2024 security release. The weakness stems from inadequate authorization checks within the cellular communication subsystem, specifically affecting how the system handles property access requests from local processes. Attackers with local system access can exploit this vulnerability to bypass intended security boundaries and extract sensitive cellular information including but not limited to device identification numbers, network registration details, signal strength metrics, and potentially subscriber-related data. The flaw exists in the kernel-level cellular property handling mechanism where insufficient validation occurs before granting access to privileged cellular parameters. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-284, which describes improper access control in software systems, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation and lateral movement through system vulnerabilities. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as this cellular data could be leveraged for device fingerprinting, tracking, or as part of more sophisticated attack vectors targeting mobile network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the interface between user-space applications and kernel-level cellular property management modules. Local processes can manipulate system calls or exploit race conditions in property access routines to gain unauthorized access to cellular state information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges for exploitation, typically only local system access or user-level privileges depending on the device architecture. Attackers can utilize this weakness to enumerate cellular properties that should normally be restricted to privileged system components or network operators. The access control failure manifests as improper validation of access tokens or security contexts when processing requests for cellular-related system properties, allowing unauthorized entities to query and retrieve sensitive device information.
Operational exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to significant privacy and security implications for affected mobile devices. The leaked cellular information could enable threat actors to create detailed device fingerprints, track user mobility patterns, or correlate device usage with network access points. This information could be particularly valuable for adversaries conducting targeted surveillance operations or for credential stuffing attacks against cellular network services. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple device models and firmware versions suggests a systemic issue in the security architecture that affects a broad user base. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as a potential entry point for more advanced attacks, particularly when combined with other local privilege escalation techniques or when targeting specific device populations with known cellular configurations.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate deployment of the SMR August 2024 security update which addresses the access control implementation in system property handling. System administrators should implement additional monitoring for unusual cellular property access patterns and consider disabling unnecessary cellular functionality when not actively required. Device manufacturers should review their cellular property access controls to ensure proper validation of caller credentials and implement stricter access control policies for sensitive system information. Network operators should monitor for anomalous cellular behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and consider implementing device authentication mechanisms that can detect unauthorized access to cellular properties. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation in embedded systems and highlights the need for comprehensive security reviews of system property management components. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling cellular data exposure incidents.