External risk intelligence

S@T Browser Information Retrieval and Command Execution Vulnerability

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2019-16256

A vulnerability in the SIMalliance Toolbox Browser could allow attackers to retrieve sensitive device data, like location and IMEI, and execute commands. This poses a business risk to organizations by potentially exposing confidential information and impacting systems. Organizations should identify affected assets and

5Halo Surface Signal

Trustedconnectivityalliance S\@t Browser

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2019-16256

The vulnerability affects the SIMalliance Toolbox Browser (S@T Browser) located on the UICC (SIM card), which is designed to process and execute instructions received via SMS. As mobile devices are constantly connected to cellular networks and inherently designed to process incoming SMS messages from the public network, this constitutes a pre-auth, public-facing service in normal operation.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

The SIMalliance Toolbox Browser (S@T Browser) on the UICC is vulnerable. This flaw allows remote attackers to retrieve sensitive device information and execute commands. The impact can include unauthorized access to location and IMEI data, potentially leading to further compromise of business systems and data.

  • Vulnerable SIM Browser
  • Command execution via SMS
  • Data retrieval and system access

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

The SIMalliance Toolbox Browser, residing on the UICC, processes SIM Toolkit instructions. This functionality can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and execute commands. The vulnerability lies in the processing of these instructions, which can be manipulated to perform malicious actions.

  • Exposure condition: Network access to the SIM card.
  • Attacker starting point: Remote attacker.
  • Trigger and result: Malicious SMS commands lead to data retrieval or command execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability could allow attackers to compromise sensitive data and device functionality without requiring special privileges. Attackers could send specially crafted SMS messages to affected devices, potentially leading to the retrieval of location and IMEI information. Further exploitation could enable the execution of commands, impacting business operations and data privacy. The critical nature of this vulnerability suggests that organizations should prioritize remediation efforts to mitigate associated risks.

  • Attackers with low skill.
  • No access or conditions required.
  • High business risk, treat as urgent.

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This vulnerability could allow attackers to retrieve sensitive device information or execute commands. Organizations should take immediate steps to identify affected systems and mitigate potential risks. The S@T Browser, found on UICCs, processes SMS messages and could be exploited to gain access to device location, IMEI, and other data.

  • Find affected assets.
  • Reduce exposure or isolate risk.
  • Fix, verify, and monitor.

Frequently asked questions

What is the SIMalliance Toolbox Browser (S@T Browser) and its function on a SIM card?

The SIMalliance Toolbox Browser (S@T Browser) is software located on a device's SIM card (UICC). It is designed to interpret and execute commands that are sent via SIM Toolkit (STK) instructions, which are often transmitted through SMS messages.

What type of security weakness is described by CVE-2019-16256 in the S@T Browser?

CVE-2019-16256 identifies a command injection vulnerability. This weakness allows a remote attacker to send specially crafted commands, typically through an SMS message, to compel the S@T Browser to perform unintended actions.

How can an attacker exploit the CVE-2019-16256 vulnerability via SMS messages?

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending specific, malicious SMS messages that contain crafted SIM Toolkit instructions. These instructions trick the S@T Browser into executing commands that could lead to data retrieval or other unauthorized actions.

What sensitive information or actions can be exposed by the CVE-2019-16256 vulnerability, according to the Halo Surface Signal assessment?

The Halo Surface Signal indicates that the vulnerability affecting the S@T Browser on the UICC is very likely exploitable. This is because the browser processes instructions from SMS, a common communication method, making it a pre-authentication, public-facing service.

What steps should organizations take to address the S@T Browser vulnerability?

Organizations should prioritize identifying all affected assets, reducing or isolating any identified risks, and then applying necessary fixes. Continuous verification and monitoring are also crucial after remediation.

References