Samsung Mobile Devices Use-After-Free
CVE-2022-22265 is a high-severity improper check or handling of exceptional conditions vulnerability in Samsung Mobile Devices from Samsung, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists version SMR Jan-2022 Release 1 as the first without the flaw, so updating Samsung Mobile Devices to that release or later removes the exposure. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on September 18, 2023, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Update Samsung Mobile Devices to SMR Jan-2022 Release 1 or a later version.
- CISA's required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- Read the advisory on security.samsungmobile.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Mobile | Samsung Mobile Devices | O(8.x), P(9.0), Q(10.0), R(11.0), S(12.0) up to, but not including, SMR Jan-2022 Release 1 | SMR Jan-2022 Release 1 |
| Android | 9.0; 10.0; 11.0; 12.0 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 5.0 | Medium | CNA (samsung.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 4.6 | Medium | NVD |
Official description
An improper check or handling of exceptional conditions in NPU driver prior to SMR Jan-2022 Release 1 allows arbitrary memory write and code execution.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Check or Handling of Exceptional Conditions
The product does not properly anticipate or handle exceptional conditions that rarely occur during normal operation of the product.
More Improper Check or Handling of Exceptional Conditions vulnerabilities (CWE-703)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-22265US Government Resource
Other vulnerabilities in Samsung Mobile Devices
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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