CVE-2024-20804: Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article provides detailed insights into CVE-2024-20804, a path traversal vulnerability affecting Samsung Mobile Devices.

Understanding CVE-2024-20804

CVE-2024-20804 is a security vulnerability that impacts Samsung Mobile Devices, specifically those running Android 11, 12, and 13.

What is CVE-2024-20804?

The CVE-2024-20804 vulnerability is a path traversal flaw found in the FileUriConverter component of MyFiles prior to the SMR Jan-2024 Release. This vulnerability allows threat actors to write arbitrary files on the affected devices.

The Impact of CVE-2024-20804

With a CVSS base score of 4 (Medium severity), this vulnerability has a low attack complexity and requires no special privileges to exploit. If successfully exploited, it could lead to the compromise of data integrity on the affected Samsung Mobile Devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2024-20804

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of CVE-2024-20804 to provide a better understanding of the security risk involved.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to an improper limitation in the pathname within the FileUriConverter of MyFiles on Android 11, 12, and 13 devices. Attackers can leverage this flaw to write arbitrary files, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data manipulation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Samsung Mobile Devices running Android 11, 12, and 13 are susceptible to this path traversal vulnerability. Devices with MyFiles versions prior to SMR Jan-2024 Release in Android 11, 12, and version 14.5.00.21 in Android 13 are at risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2024-20804 involves manipulating file paths within the FileUriConverter component to write files outside the intended directory structure. This unauthorized file writing can be leveraged by attackers to perform malicious activities on the compromised device.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard devices from the CVE-2024-20804 vulnerability, proactive mitigation measures and security best practices are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their Samsung Mobile Devices to the latest SMR Jan-2024 Release or apply patches provided by Samsung to address this security flaw. Additionally, exercising caution while accessing files and directories on the device can help reduce the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintaining up-to-date software, regularly monitoring security advisories from Samsung, and practicing safe file management habits can mitigate the risk of path traversal vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-20804.

Patching and Updates

Samsung Mobile users should prioritize installing security updates and patches released by Samsung to ensure that their devices are protected against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-20804. Regularly checking for and applying software updates will help enhance the overall security posture of the devices.