Root-privileged kernel write via read-only address translation
Published Jun 11, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024
Improper address validation in Samsung Mobile Devices RKP before SMR JUN-2021 Release 1 allows root-privileged local users to write kernel memory. The virt_to_phys_el1 helper returns a physical address after a read translation succeeds, and RKP command handlers then write through that address without requiring write permission. Root-level kernel access and RKP hypercall access are prerequisites; successful use bypasses read-only kernel-memory protections.
Summary
What happened
Improper address validation in Samsung Mobile Devices RKP before SMR JUN-2021 Release 1 allows root-privileged local users to write kernel memory. The virt_to_phys_el1 helper returns a physical address after a read translation succeeds, and RKP command handlers then write through that address without requiring write permission. Root-level kernel access and RKP hypercall access are prerequisites; successful use bypasses read-only kernel-memory protections.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2021-25411
- Published
- Jun 11, 2021
- Updated
- Aug 3, 2024
- Vendor
- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
- Product
- Samsung Mobile Devices
- Classifications
- CWE-94, CWE-20, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- admin
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jun 11, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=Q(10.0), R(11.0) devices with Exynos9610, 9810, 9820, 9830 <SMR JUN-2021 Release 1
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- Impalabs RKP read-only kernel-memory write proof of conceptfunctional · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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