Cyber Resilience

CVE-2023-26498

Memory Safety in Samsung Exynos Modem 5300 Firmware

Published
23 March 2023
Modified
21 November 2024
Patch / advisory
CVSS Score v3.1 8.6
Click a component to see what it means
Raw vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:H
EPSS Score 0.24 98th percentile
Risk Priority 78 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2023-26498 is a high-severity Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787) vulnerability in Samsung Exynos Modem 5300 Firmware. Its CVSS base score is 8.6 (High).

Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploitation for Privilege Escalation (T1068); ranked in the top 2% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary

Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.

CVE-2023-26498 is a memory corruption vulnerability in the SDP module of Samsung's Baseband Modem Chipset, affecting Exynos Modem 5123, Exynos Modem 5300, Exynos 980, Exynos 1080, and Exynos Auto T5126. It stems from improper validation of the number of properties when parsing the chatroom attribute, which can trigger an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787). The flaw carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.6.

An unauthenticated attacker can exploit the issue over the network by sending a crafted SDP message containing an oversized chatroom attribute. Successful exploitation can result in memory corruption that leads to denial of service or limited information disclosure and modification on the affected modem.

Samsung's product security updates page and related semiconductor documentation direct users and device manufacturers to apply the latest baseband firmware patches that address the parsing flaw.

The associated EPSS score rose from a low baseline to a peak of 0.2517 before receding to its current value of 0.0493, indicating that exploitation interest increased after public disclosure.

EU & UK References

Vulnerability Data

An issue was discovered in Samsung Baseband Modem Chipset for Exynos Modem 5123, Exynos Modem 5300, Exynos 980, Exynos 1080, Exynos Auto T5126. Memory corruption can occur due to improper checking of the number of properties while parsing the chatroom…

more

attribute in the SDP (Session Description Protocol) module.

CWE(s)

Related Threats

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques

T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation Privilege Escalation
Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities in an attempt to elevate privileges.
T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Initial Access
Adversaries may attempt to exploit a weakness in an Internet-facing host or system to initially access a network.
T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution Execution
Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities in client applications to execute code.
T1210 Exploitation of Remote Services Lateral Movement
Adversaries may exploit remote services to gain unauthorized access to internal systems once inside of a network.
T1211 Exploitation for Stealth Stealth
Adversaries may exploit vulnerabilities to evade detection by hiding activity, suppressing logging, or operating within trusted or unmonitored components.
T1212 Exploitation for Credential Access Credential Access
Adversaries may exploit software vulnerabilities in an attempt to collect credentials.
Derived from this CVE’s CWE(s) via the direct CWE→ATT&CK cross-walk.

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2023-26497Same product: Samsung Exynos 1080
CVE-2023-26496Same product: Samsung Exynos 1080
CVE-2023-26073Same product: Samsung Exynos 1080
CVE-2023-26074Same product: Samsung Exynos 1080
CVE-2023-26072Same product: Samsung Exynos 1080
CVE-2023-29088Same product: Samsung Exynos 1080
CVE-2023-29086Same product: Samsung Exynos 1080
CVE-2023-29085Same product: Samsung Exynos 1080
CVE-2023-29090Same product: Samsung Exynos 1080
CVE-2023-29087Same product: Samsung Exynos 1080

Affected Assets

samsung
exynos modem 5300 firmware
all versions
samsung
exynos modem 5123 firmware
all versions
samsung
exynos 980 firmware
all versions
samsung
exynos 1080 firmware
all versions
samsung
exynos auto t5123 firmware
all versions

Mitigating Controls

Likely Mitigating Controls AI

Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.

addresses: CWE-787

Out-of-bounds writes that corrupt control flow or inject shellcode are rendered non-executable by the same memory protections.

Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

PR.PS-06 mostly match
prevents

Secure-development practices (static analysis, bounds checking, code review) are the primary means of preventing out-of-bounds writes.

ID.RA-01 partial match
prevents

Vulnerability scanning and recording can discover out-of-bounds write flaws so they can be remediated.

PR.PS-02 partial match
prevents

Patching or replacing vulnerable software directly eliminates known instances of this coding weakness.

Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

finds

Security testing in development and acceptance can detect and prevent out-of-bounds write defects.

prevents

Secure development life cycle mandates practices that prevent out-of-bounds writes.

prevents

Application security requirements can specify bounds-checking and safe memory handling.

prevents

Secure architecture and engineering principles reduce the likelihood of buffer overflows.

prevents

Secure coding directly addresses out-of-bounds writes through language choice and coding standards.

prevents

Change management can enforce review gates that catch unsafe memory operations before deployment.

References