CVE-2021-25371 is a medium-severity vulnerability discovered in the DSP driver of Samsung's Android operating system. This vulnerability allows attackers to load arbitrary ELF libraries inside the DSP, potentially leading to unauthorized access or system compromise. The CVSS score of 6.1 indicates a medium level of risk, which necessitates prompt attention from organizations utilizing affected devices.
The real-world risk context of this vulnerability is significant, particularly for organizations that rely on Samsung mobile devices. Given its exploitation potential, attackers may leverage this weakness to execute malicious code, impacting system integrity and availability. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
As of now, there are no confirmed public exploits available, however, organizations should remain vigilant for any updates from the vendor and apply necessary patches as they become available. The urgency for defenders is high, given the potential for exploitation.
In summary, organizations utilizing Samsung mobile devices should be aware of CVE-2021-25371 and take immediate steps to address this vulnerability. Regular updates and patch management should be a priority to safeguard against potential exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is described as: 'A vulnerability in DSP driver prior to SMR Mar-2021 Release 1 allows attackers load arbitrary ELF libraries inside DSP.' This vulnerability has been analyzed and classified under CWE-912.
With a CVSS score of 6.1, the vulnerability is deemed medium severity. The vulnerability is characterized by a physical attack vector, high attack complexity, and requires high privileges for exploitation, with no user interaction needed.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the DSP driver, which fails to properly restrict loading of ELF libraries. This flaw allows an attacker with physical access to the device to exploit the vulnerability, leading to potential unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The attack vector is classified as physical, meaning an attacker needs physical access to the device to exploit the vulnerability. The attack complexity is high, requiring specialized knowledge and skills to carry out the exploitation successfully.
Privileges required for exploitation are high, indicating that the attacker must have elevated permissions to perform the attack. No user interaction is required, simplifying the exploitation process further.
The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all high, underscoring the critical nature of this vulnerability and the potential ramifications of successful exploitation.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations should consider the real-world deployment risk associated with this vulnerability, especially in environments where Samsung mobile devices are prevalent. As the vulnerability allows loading of arbitrary ELF libraries, the potential for unauthorized access and data compromise is significant.
The blast radius for this vulnerability is concerning. If exploited, it could lead to widespread implications across all systems utilizing the affected DSP driver. Organizations should assess their risk exposure and prioritize remediation efforts.
Urgency assessment based on its medium CVSS score and active KEV listing indicates that organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. Immediate action is recommended to mitigate the risks.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include all Samsung Android devices running the DSP driver prior to the SMR Mar-2021 Release 1. Specific versions known to be vulnerable include:
- Samsung Android 10.0 (SMR Feb-2021 Release 1) - Samsung Android 10.0 (SMR Jan-2021 Release 1) - Samsung Android 11.0 (SMR Feb-2021 Release 1) - Samsung Android 11.0 (SMR Jan-2021 Release 1)
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations must apply updates per vendor instructions to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. It is critical to upgrade to the latest patch to ensure protection against potential exploitation. If a patch is unavailable, consider discontinuing use of affected devices.
Configuration hardening and implementing network controls can also assist in mitigating the risk. Regular monitoring and security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.
For further information on securing your devices, organizations can refer to the comprehensive guides available on AppSecure's website, particularly the penetration testing services that help validate and enhance security postures.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of compromise related to unauthorized library loading attempts. Behavioral anomalies within the DSP processes should be flagged for further investigation.
Network signatures indicating unusual traffic patterns or unexpected device behavior should also be analyzed. System changes, particularly those related to DSP functionality, need to be closely monitored.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-25371 lies in its potential for exploitation in environments where Samsung devices are prevalent. This vulnerability reflects a broader trend in mobile security, highlighting the importance of robust security measures in the mobile ecosystem.
Security teams should learn from this vulnerability and consider implementing more stringent patch management processes and security validations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from escalating.
Additionally, organizations can benefit from exploring penetration testing methodologies to strengthen their security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)