CVE-2024-34653 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2024
Path Traversal in My Files prior to SMR Sep-2024 Release 1 allows physical attackers to access directories with My Files' privilege.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-34653 represents a critical path traversal flaw within the My Files application component that affected versions prior to the September 2024 security maintenance release. This weakness enables unauthorized physical access to directory structures that should normally be restricted to the application's privileges, creating a significant security risk for systems utilizing this software. The vulnerability specifically affects the file handling mechanisms within the My Files application, where improper input validation allows attackers to manipulate file paths and gain access to sensitive directories that are typically protected by the application's privilege model.
The technical implementation of this path traversal vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input within the My Files application's file access routines. When the application processes file operations, it fails to properly validate or sanitize file path parameters, allowing attackers to inject malicious path sequences such as ../ or ..\ that can navigate outside the intended directory boundaries. This flaw operates at the filesystem level where the application's privilege context is insufficient to prevent traversal attacks, effectively bypassing access controls that should restrict file system operations to authorized directories. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 Path Traversal which specifically addresses improper input validation that allows attackers to access files and directories outside the intended scope of the application.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk for organizations relying on the My Files application as it allows physical attackers with local access to escalate their privileges and access sensitive data stored in restricted directories. The attack vector requires only physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous in environments where devices may be lost, stolen, or accessed by unauthorized personnel. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to access configuration files, user data, application logs, and potentially system files that contain sensitive information such as credentials, personal data, or business-critical information. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as the vulnerability could potentially enable further exploitation through access to system configuration files or other sensitive resources within the application's privilege context.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping it to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing as it could potentially be exploited through physical access scenarios or combined with social engineering approaches to maximize impact. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the September 2024 security patch that addresses this specific path traversal issue. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other applications or services that may be susceptible to similar path traversal vulnerabilities, particularly those that handle file operations with user-supplied input. The mitigation strategy should include implementing proper input validation, restricting file system access permissions, and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.