CVE-2024-49415 Overview
CVE-2024-49415 is a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability affecting the libsaped.so library in Samsung Android devices. This memory corruption flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable devices without requiring any user interaction or authentication. The vulnerability exists in versions of Samsung Android prior to the SMR Dec-2024 Release 1 security patch.
Critical Impact
Remote code execution vulnerability in Samsung's audio codec library that can be exploited over the network without user interaction, potentially allowing complete device compromise.
Affected Products
- Samsung Android 12.0 (all SMR releases prior to December 2024)
- Samsung Android 13.0 (all SMR releases prior to December 2024)
- Samsung Android 14.0 (all SMR releases prior to December 2024)
Discovery Timeline
- December 3, 2024 - CVE-2024-49415 published to NVD
- February 10, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-49415
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified as CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), a memory corruption issue that occurs when the libsaped.so library writes data beyond the boundaries of an allocated memory buffer. The library is responsible for handling Samsung APE audio codec processing, and the flaw can be triggered when processing specially crafted audio data sent over the network.
The out-of-bounds write condition allows attackers to corrupt adjacent memory regions, potentially overwriting critical data structures, function pointers, or return addresses. This memory corruption can be leveraged to achieve arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the media processing component.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2024-49415 lies in insufficient bounds checking within the libsaped.so library's audio data parsing routines. When processing audio streams, the library fails to properly validate the size or offset values against the allocated buffer boundaries, allowing malformed input to trigger writes outside the intended memory region.
Attack Vector
The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network. An attacker can deliver a malicious audio file or stream to a target Samsung device, potentially through various vectors such as:
- Sending a specially crafted audio message via messaging applications
- Hosting malicious audio content on a web server
- Embedding malicious audio in multimedia content delivered over the network
When the vulnerable libsaped.so library processes this malicious audio data, the out-of-bounds write is triggered, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the device without requiring any user interaction or special privileges.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-49415
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual crashes or instability in media processing services on Samsung devices
- Unexpected memory access violations logged in system crash reports related to libsaped.so
- Suspicious network traffic involving audio file transfers from untrusted sources
- Evidence of unauthorized code execution following audio file processing
Detection Strategies
- Monitor Samsung devices for security patch level and ensure SMR Dec-2024 Release 1 or later is installed
- Implement network-level inspection for malformed audio files targeting Samsung devices
- Deploy mobile threat detection solutions capable of identifying exploitation attempts against media libraries
- Review device logs for crashes or anomalies in audio codec processing components
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable crash reporting and monitoring for media-related processes on enterprise Samsung devices
- Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies to track security patch compliance
- Monitor network traffic for suspicious audio file transfers to Samsung devices
- Set up alerts for any unusual behavior in audio processing services
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-49415
Immediate Actions Required
- Update all affected Samsung Android devices to SMR Dec-2024 Release 1 or later immediately
- Prioritize patching for devices in high-risk environments or those handling sensitive data
- Consider restricting audio file downloads from untrusted sources until patches are applied
- Implement network segmentation to limit potential attack surface for unpatched devices
Patch Information
Samsung has addressed this vulnerability in the SMR Dec-2024 Release 1 security update. Administrators and users should apply this update immediately through the device's system update mechanism or via enterprise MDM solutions. Detailed patch information is available in the Samsung Security Update December 2024 advisory.
Workarounds
- Disable automatic audio preview and processing features where possible until patching is complete
- Block or filter potentially malicious audio file formats at the network perimeter
- Implement strict application allowlisting to prevent execution of unauthorized code
- Restrict messaging applications from automatically downloading media files
# Check Samsung device security patch level via ADB
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# Expected output for patched devices: 2024-12-01 or later
# If output shows earlier date, device requires immediate update
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
