CVE-2022-40759 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A NULL pointer dereference issue in the TEE_MACCompareFinal function in Samsung mTower through 0.3.0 allows a trusted application to trigger a Denial of Service (DoS) by invoking the function TEE_MACCompareFinal with a NULL pointer for the parameter operation.

Understanding CVE-2022-40759

This section will cover the key details regarding the identified vulnerability in Samsung mTower.

What is CVE-2022-40759?

The CVE-2022-40759 vulnerability is a NULL pointer dereference issue in the TEE_MACCompareFinal function of Samsung mTower up to version 0.3.0. It enables a trusted application to execute a Denial of Service (DoS) attack by calling the TEE_MACCompareFinal function with a NULL pointer operation parameter.

The Impact of CVE-2022-40759

The impact of this vulnerability is the potential for a DoS attack, where a malicious actor could exploit the NULL pointer dereference to crash the system, rendering it unavailable to legitimate users.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-40759

In this section, we delve into the technical aspects related to CVE-2022-40759.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a flaw in how the TEE_MACCompareFinal function handles NULL pointers, allowing for a DoS condition to be triggered by a specially crafted request.

Affected Systems and Versions

Samsung mTower versions up to 0.3.0 are affected by this vulnerability, leaving systems running these versions at risk of exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

By invoking the TEE_MACCompareFinal function with a NULL pointer for the operation parameter, a trusted application can exploit this vulnerability to cause a DoS condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2022-40759, it is crucial to implement appropriate mitigation strategies and security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should apply security patches provided by Samsung for mTower to fix the vulnerability promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and maintain all software components to stay protected against known vulnerabilities.
Employ security best practices, such as principle of least privilege, to limit the impact of potential security flaws.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates released by Samsung for mTower and ensure timely implementation to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.