CVE-2024-34632 in Notes
Summary
by MITRE • 08/07/2024
Out-of-bounds read in uuid parsing in Samsung Notes prior to version 4.4.21.62 allows local attacker to access unauthorized memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-34632 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw discovered in the Samsung Notes application prior to version 4.4.21.62. This issue specifically affects the uuid parsing functionality within the mobile application, creating a potential security risk that could be exploited by local attackers. The vulnerability resides in how the application processes universally unique identifier strings, which are commonly used for identifying notes and other data elements within the application's storage system. When the application attempts to parse malformed or specially crafted uuid values, it fails to properly validate input boundaries, leading to memory access violations that extend beyond the intended data structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during the uuid parsing process. When Samsung Notes encounters a uuid string, it performs operations that assume certain memory layouts and data structures without sufficient validation of input parameters. This flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices or buffer bounds. The application's failure to validate the length and format of incoming uuid data creates a scenario where memory reads extend beyond allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive memory contents to unauthorized access. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious uuid values that trigger the out-of-bounds read condition, allowing them to access memory regions that should remain protected.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks for Samsung Notes users and organizations relying on the application for sensitive data management. Local attackers with access to the device can leverage this flaw to extract potentially confidential information from the application's memory space, including but not limited to user credentials, note contents, or other application-specific data. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as the vulnerability could potentially be chained with other exploits to achieve privilege escalation or information disclosure attacks. The nature of the vulnerability means that any user with local access to the device can exploit it without requiring network connectivity or complex attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in environments where device security is compromised. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script interpreter usage and T1003.001 for credential dumping, as it provides a means for accessing sensitive data through memory-based attacks.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2024-34632 requires immediate deployment of the patched version 4.4.21.62 or later, which addresses the bounds checking issue in uuid parsing operations. Samsung has implemented proper input validation mechanisms that ensure uuid values are properly checked against expected formats and length constraints before processing. Organizations should also implement monitoring for unusual memory access patterns or application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include regular security updates, application sandboxing, and user education about the importance of keeping software current. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in mobile applications and highlights how seemingly simple parsing operations can create significant security risks. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of similar parsing functions across their mobile application portfolios to identify potential analogous issues that could expose users to similar risks.