CVE-2024-34642 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2024
Improper authorization in One UI Home prior to SMR Sep-2024 Release 1 allows physical attackers to temporarily access sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-34642 represents a critical authorization flaw within the One UI Home component of Samsung mobile devices, specifically affecting versions prior to the September 2024 Security Maintenance Release. This issue stems from insufficient access controls that fail to properly validate user permissions before granting access to sensitive system information. The vulnerability exists in the home screen interface layer where proper authentication checks are either missing or inadequately implemented, creating a window of opportunity for unauthorized access to confidential data.
The technical implementation of this flaw lies in the improper handling of system permissions within the One UI Home environment. When a device is in a physically accessible state, particularly during screen unlock or lock screen interactions, the system fails to enforce proper authorization boundaries. This allows an attacker with physical access to potentially bypass normal security protocols and gain temporary access to sensitive information that should be restricted to authorized users. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the device's user interface framework to exploit insufficient privilege validation mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to device users who may be targeted by physical attackers in environments where devices are left unattended or accessible to unauthorized individuals. The temporary nature of the access window means that attackers can potentially extract sensitive data such as recent notifications, contact information, messages, or other personal data that may be visible on the home screen. This risk is particularly elevated in scenarios where devices are not properly secured with strong authentication mechanisms or when users leave their devices unlocked in public or shared spaces.
The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure, as this vulnerability can serve as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can use this temporary access to gather intelligence about the device user, potentially leading to social engineering attacks or credential harvesting. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. According to ATT&CK framework, this issue maps to T1547.001 (Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers could potentially use the gained temporary access to establish persistent access or execute malicious payloads.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate device updates to the latest SMR September 2024 release or newer versions that contain the necessary security patches. Users should also implement additional physical security measures such as strong screen locks, biometric authentication, and regular device monitoring. Organizations should consider implementing device management policies that enforce automatic updates and require strong authentication mechanisms. Security teams should monitor for potential exploitation attempts and consider the vulnerability as part of broader threat modeling exercises for mobile device security. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper authorization checks and strengthening the permission validation mechanisms within the One UI Home component, ensuring that all access requests are properly authenticated before granting access to sensitive information.