CVE-2024-49413 Overview
CVE-2024-49413 is a high-severity vulnerability in Samsung's SmartSwitch application affecting Samsung Android versions 13 and 14 prior to the Security Maintenance Release (SMR) Dec-2024 Release 1. The flaw stems from improper verification of cryptographic signatures [CWE-347], allowing local attackers to install malicious applications on affected devices. SmartSwitch is a Samsung utility used to transfer data between devices, including application packages. Because the component fails to properly validate signatures on installation candidates, an attacker with local access can bypass the trust chain and deploy unauthorized code under the guise of a trusted package.
Critical Impact
Local attackers can install malicious applications on unpatched Samsung Android devices by exploiting weak signature verification in SmartSwitch, leading to full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Affected Products
- Samsung Android 13.0 prior to SMR Dec-2024 Release 1
- Samsung Android 14.0 prior to SMR Dec-2024 Release 1
- Samsung SmartSwitch component bundled with affected Android builds
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-12-03 - CVE-2024-49413 published to NVD
- 2025-02-10 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-49413
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in Samsung's SmartSwitch component, which handles application package transfers and installations. SmartSwitch fails to properly verify cryptographic signatures on application packages before processing them for installation. This breakdown in the trust chain enables a local attacker to supply a tampered or unsigned APK that the component will treat as legitimate.
Because SmartSwitch operates with elevated privileges related to application installation, exploitation grants the attacker the ability to place arbitrary applications on the device. The installed application can then request sensitive permissions, persist across reboots, and interact with user data. Exploitation requires local access and low privileges, but no user interaction is needed once the attacker has a foothold.
Root Cause
The root cause is Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature [CWE-347] within the SmartSwitch installation workflow. The component does not adequately validate that the cryptographic signature on an incoming package chains to a trusted certificate or matches the expected signer. This logic gap means malformed or attacker-controlled signatures are accepted as valid.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local. An attacker who has gained code execution as an unprivileged or low-privileged user on the device, including through a malicious application already installed, can interact with the SmartSwitch installation path to deliver a crafted package. Once the signature check is bypassed, the malicious application is installed and executed. Samsung has not published exploitation details, and no public proof-of-concept is available. See the Samsung Security Update December 2024 advisory for the official remediation note.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49413
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected applications installed on Samsung devices outside of Google Play or Samsung Galaxy Store install flows
- SmartSwitch process activity correlated with the installation of packages whose signing certificate does not match the developer of record
- Newly installed packages requesting elevated permissions shortly after SmartSwitch transfer activity
Detection Strategies
- Inventory installed applications via Mobile Device Management (MDM) and flag packages whose signers do not match the expected publisher
- Monitor for Samsung Android devices reporting a build fingerprint prior to SMR Dec-2024 Release 1
- Compare APK signing certificates against known-good baselines from official app stores
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enforce MDM compliance policies that report device patch level and quarantine devices below SMR Dec-2024 Release 1
- Forward mobile telemetry, including package install events and signer metadata, to a centralized SIEM for correlation
- Alert on installation events originating from SmartSwitch transfer sessions on devices in regulated user populations
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49413
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the Samsung SMR Dec-2024 Release 1 update to all affected Android 13 and Android 14 devices
- Audit fleet patch levels and prioritize devices that handle corporate data or privileged accounts
- Restrict use of SmartSwitch transfers on managed devices until patches are confirmed installed
Patch Information
Samsung addressed the issue in the December 2024 Security Maintenance Release. Devices must be updated to SMR Dec-2024 Release 1 or later to remediate the signature verification flaw. Refer to the Samsung Security Update December 2024 for the full advisory and affected build details.
Workarounds
- Disable or remove SmartSwitch on devices that cannot immediately receive the December 2024 SMR
- Block installation of applications from unknown sources through MDM policy
- Require attestation of patch level before granting access to corporate resources via conditional access controls
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
