CVE-2024-32502 Overview
CVE-2024-32502 is a use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability affecting multiple Samsung Exynos mobile and wearable processors. The flaw stems from improper reference count checking in the affected mobile processors, allowing memory to be freed while pointers still reference it. An attacker with local access can trigger memory corruption that leads to compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-416: Use After Free].
Critical Impact
Local attackers can exploit improper reference count handling in Samsung Exynos processors to trigger use-after-free conditions, potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation at the processor firmware level.
Affected Products
- Samsung Exynos 850, 1080, 1280, 1330, 1380, 2100 mobile processors
- Samsung Exynos W920, W930 wearable processors
- Corresponding firmware images for all listed Exynos SoCs
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-06-07 - CVE-2024-32502 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-32502
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the Samsung Exynos mobile processor code responsible for managing object lifetimes through reference counting. The affected processor firmware fails to properly validate reference counts before releasing memory. When a reference count is miscounted, the underlying object can be freed while other execution paths still hold pointers to it.
Subsequent access to the freed memory produces a classic use-after-free condition. An attacker who can trigger the code path controlling the object lifetime can influence the contents of the freed memory region. This provides a primitive for arbitrary read, arbitrary write, or control-flow hijacking depending on the affected structure.
The attack requires local access with no user interaction. Successful exploitation impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at the processor level, which is a highly privileged trust boundary on mobile and wearable devices.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or incorrect reference count checking within the Exynos processor firmware. Reference counting is used to determine when an object is no longer needed and safe to free. When the check is skipped or produces an incorrect value, the allocator releases memory that is still in use elsewhere, creating a dangling pointer that later dereferences freed memory.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local access to the device with no privileges and no user interaction. A malicious application or process running on the affected device can invoke the vulnerable code path to force premature release of a reference-counted object. Once the memory is reused, attacker-controlled data may be interpreted as the original object structure, enabling further exploitation.
No public proof-of-concept or exploit code is currently available. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. See the Samsung Security Updates advisory for vendor-specific technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-32502
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected crashes, kernel panics, or reboots on devices running affected Exynos processors
- Abnormal process termination signals originating from processes interacting with baseband or modem interfaces
- Applications requesting unusual local IPC or driver access to Exynos-specific device nodes
Detection Strategies
- Monitor mobile device management (MDM) telemetry for devices running unpatched Exynos firmware versions
- Inspect crash dumps for repeated faults referencing freed kernel or firmware objects, indicative of UAF exploitation attempts
- Audit installed applications for anomalous access to low-level hardware interfaces on affected Exynos devices
Monitoring Recommendations
- Track firmware and security patch levels across the mobile fleet and flag devices running vulnerable Exynos builds
- Correlate mobile threat defense alerts with local privilege escalation attempts on affected Samsung device models
- Review vendor advisories from Samsung Semiconductor on a recurring cadence for updated patch information
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-32502
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the latest Samsung security patches for affected Exynos processors as soon as the OEM makes them available for your device model
- Inventory all mobile and wearable devices in the environment running Exynos 850, 1080, 1280, 1330, 1380, 2100, W920, or W930
- Restrict installation of untrusted applications on affected devices until firmware updates are deployed
Patch Information
Samsung Semiconductor addressed the vulnerability through processor firmware updates delivered by device OEMs. Refer to the Samsung Security Updates page for the definitive list of firmware versions and remediation guidance. Device-specific patches are distributed through the mobile OEM's regular over-the-air update process.
Workarounds
- Enforce enterprise application allowlisting via MDM to prevent execution of untrusted local code on affected devices
- Disable sideloading and restrict installation to vetted app stores on managed mobile devices
- Isolate affected wearable devices from sensitive corporate accounts and networks until firmware is updated
# Example MDM policy check: identify devices with affected Exynos SoCs
adb shell getprop ro.board.platform
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
