[SECURITY] Vulnerability workaround for ExynosAbuse exploit, no root required

supercurio · Dec 17, 2012

Because an exploit and vulnerability has been released long before vendors had a chance to fix it and distributes patches, I though it could be useful to develop an app that regular people, who don't necessarily want to root or mod their devices can install to avoid being vulnerable.

Vulnerability and exploit by alephzain : http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2048511
The application page on my blog

Characteristics of this app:

Works on any device, let you know if your system is vulnerable
Doesn’t require root to apply the fix
Doesn’t modify your system, copy files or flash anything
Fix can be enabled or disable at will
Free of charge

Limitations:

Break proper function of the Front camera on some Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note II Samsung official firmwares when activated.
Might alter MHL/HDMI output functions on some devices (not confirmed)
Cannot protect efficiently against some potential attacks (typically, on boot).
The real fix by manufacturers or some carefully written custom kernels will indeed be the only true solutions to this vulnerability − and won’t introduce any feature regression like this one does with some firmwares on cameras.
Comes without any kind of support or warranty.

ss2i9100g · Dec 17, 2012

I can't see the download link!
Thanks for the quick response

V0.2 download link is down on your blog

OmahaBasil · Dec 17, 2012

SPH-L710 is unaffected

It looks like my Samsung Galaxy S III is unaffected by this exploit. I have the Sprint version (SPH-L710). Either Samsung pushed an update or it isn't affected on this model.

Riio · Dec 17, 2012

Thanks for the fix, greatly appreciated! As warned, it breaks camera functionality on my International Note 2 (N7100), green screen instead of normal view.

BZJoe · Dec 17, 2012

AT&T GS2 tested - not affected

I just downloaded and ran your app. It reported my AT&T GS2 as not affected. Thank you for doing this app.:good:

TrayLunch · Dec 17, 2012

OmahaBasil said:
It looks like my Samsung Galaxy S III is unaffected by this exploit. I have the Sprint version (SPH-L710). Either Samsung pushed an update or it isn't affected on this model.

BZJoe said:
I just downloaded and ran your app. It reported my AT&T GS2 as not affected. Thank you for doing this app.:good:

Neither of your phones have Exynos processors. The international GS2&3 and the Sprint variant of the GS2 are a few of the susceptible devices.

Elite Tester for Mijjz Goodness

---------- Post added at 10:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:22 PM ----------

supercurio said:
Because an exploit and vulnerability has been released long before vendors had a chance to fix it and distributes patches, I though it could be useful to develop an app that regular people, who don't necessarily want to root or mod their devices can install to avoid being vulnerable.

Vulnerability and exploit by alephzain : http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2048511
The application page on my blog

Characteristics of this app:

Works on any device, let you know if your system is vulnerable

Doesn’t require root to apply the fix

Doesn’t modify your system, copy files or flash anything

Fix can be enabled or disable at will

Free of charge

Limitations:

Break proper function of the Front camera on Galaxy S III Samsung official firmwares when activated

Might alter HDMI output functions on some devices (not confirmed)

Glad folks like you are out there making up for others irresponsible actions. This is probably the exploit used to hack phantom phaker's E4GT, and that guy is a scripting genius.

Elite Tester for Mijjz Goodness

chyckyn · Dec 17, 2012

TrayLunch said:
Neither of your phones have Exynos processors. The international GS2&3 and the Sprint variant of the GS2 are a few of the susceptible devices.

You are INCORRECT, the ORIGINAL AT&T S2 "I777" is an exact replica of the international except for the capacitive buttons....He knows what he's saying it is an EXYNOS device!!!!

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s_ii_i777-4130.php

thedicemaster · Dec 17, 2012

the galaxy camera also has this vulnerability, but the camera function still works fine after applying your fix.

BrainOfSweden · Dec 17, 2012

Thanks for such a quick fix. The app says my SGS2 is vulnerable, so I activated it instantly. Good thing both cameras function properly. Is there anything else that could malfunction with the fix applied?

baz77 · Dec 17, 2012

why does this app need Internet access permissions? ^^

edwardplus · Dec 17, 2012

My Galaxy Note II LTE(N7105) cameras (front and rear) work fine after activated.
However I still wanna ask what malfunction of front camera is/are?

funem · Dec 17, 2012

Run on my stock rooted S3 and camera still works.... thanks

supercurio · Dec 17, 2012

baz77 said:
why does this app need Internet access permissions? ^^

For a fix it shouldnt be needed. If it only runs the chmod 600.

Proof of to much integration between lowest hardware layers and os layers.
Next vulnerability is reading device memory old school like. Rant

Copy-paste from the download page (please read!)

version 0.4

Add missing Internet permissions for Flurry analytics:
I will likely share installation figures with my Samsung security contacts, so they get an idea of the interest generated by this kind of early fix.

Clarify apply on boot limitations.

I find interesting to have a rough idea of how many people get a fix, and then compare with the total amount of vulnerable systems that can be guessed by approximate sales announced.

Also, in case (which I don't hope) Samsung or some Carriers tend to be slow at releasing an update fixing properly this vulnerability, those install statistics might be a way to pressure them hurrying up.

I would have not used additional analytics if the app was released on Google Play, as it lets you know already plenty of details about apps installations.
But as my app uses the exploit to detect the presence of the vulnerability Google would have probably removed it quickly, and banned my account at the same time; A risk I cannot afford.

supercurio · Dec 17, 2012

TrayLunch said:
Glad folks like you are out there making up for others irresponsible actions. This is probably the exploit used to hack phantom phaker's E4GT, and that guy is a scripting genius.

Just curious, what was his story?

TrayLunch · Dec 17, 2012

chyckyn said:
You are INCORRECT, the ORIGINAL AT&T S2 "I777" is an exact replica of the international except for the capacitive buttons....He knows what he's saying it is an EXYNOS device!!!!

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s_ii_i777-4130.php

Well if the app is saying that his device is unaffected, then he does not have the ORIGINAL AT&T S2 and thus does not have Exynos processors. I stand by my statement.

Elite Tester for Mijjz Goodness

---------- Post added at 10:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:58 AM ----------

supercurio said:
Just curious, what was his story?

I don't know many details and it is all second hand. I will try to get someone closer to the situation in here to comment as to provide more accurate information.

EDIT: and I should clarify. It has been speculated by other users that this was the exploit used to hack phaker's phone. I have not heard this from phaeker himself.

Elite Tester for Mijjz Goodness

x2h · Dec 17, 2012

i dowloaded it but my computer reports it's a virus (trojan) and quarantined it...

supercurio · Dec 17, 2012

x2h said:
i dowloaded it but my computer reports it's a virus (trojan) and quarantined it...

Your anti virus doesn't know the difference between a fix and a malware (I guess it detects the exploit I'm using as tool to protect against itself)

hotsync100 · Dec 17, 2012

thank you very much for this!!

Is it possible to activate/deactivate it with tasker intents ? I would like to use the camera some times..

Galaxy i9300 stock ELKC

TrayLunch · Dec 17, 2012

supercurio said:
Just curious, what was his story?

Rather than edit my last post and miss your attention, I'm posting a new response. After speaking with someone with current/direct contact with phaeker, his issue has been resolved and was unrelated but if you would like to contact him via PM, you are more than welcome to.

Elite Tester for Mijjz Goodness

trobinou · Dec 17, 2012

Thank you very much for this patch.

I have 2 N7100:
- 1 - Root + Crash 3.1 Rom's - N7100XXALJ2 - Kernel Redpill 0.10
- 2 - Not root + Samsung rom's - N7100XXDLK7-Kernel 3.0.31-590308 SMP PREEMPT

2 phones were impacted by the weakness. After the application of the patch, the camera on 2 phones do not work any more ( green screen).

Sorry for my bad English.

[SECURITY] Vulnerability workaround for ExynosAbuse exploit, no root required

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