CVE-2019-16256 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the SIMalliance Toolbox Browser found on certain Samsung devices could allow unauthorized access to sensitive information and execution of commands.

Understanding CVE-2019-16256

The vulnerability known as Simjacker involves exploiting the SIMalliance Toolbox Browser on Samsung devices to access location and IMEI details.

What is CVE-2019-16256?

The SIMalliance Toolbox Browser, also known as S@T Browser, on Samsung devices can be exploited via Sim Toolkit (STK) instructions in SMS messages, enabling unauthorized access to data and command execution.

The Impact of CVE-2019-16256

Unauthorized individuals can gain access to location and IMEI details on affected devices.
Attackers can retrieve additional data and execute specific commands through the vulnerability.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-16256

The technical aspects of the vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The SIMalliance Toolbox Browser vulnerability allows attackers to exploit STK instructions to retrieve sensitive information and execute commands.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers send STK instructions via SMS to the vulnerable device, triggering unauthorized access and command execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-16256, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable STK services on Samsung devices if not essential.
Regularly monitor for suspicious SMS messages.

Long-Term Security Practices

Keep devices updated with the latest security patches.
Educate users on the risks of interacting with unknown SMS messages.

Patching and Updates

Apply security updates provided by Samsung to mitigate the vulnerability.