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CVE Record

CVE-2018-20135: Samsung Galaxy Apps before 4.4.01.7 allows modification of the hostname used for load balancing on installa...

Samsung Galaxy Apps before 4.4.01.7 allows modification of the hostname used for load balancing on installations of applications through a man-in-the-middle attack. An attacker may trick Galaxy Apps into using an arbitrary hostname for which the attacker can provide a valid SSL certificate, and emulate the API of the app store to modify existing apps at installation time. The specific flaw involves an HTTP method to obtain the load-balanced hostname that enforces SSL only after obtaining a hostname from the load balancer, and a missing app signature validation in the application XML. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to achieve Remote Code Execution on the device. The Samsung ID is SVE-2018-12071.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

Older Samsung Galaxy Apps versions could be misdirected during app installation by an attacker positioned on the network. The attacker could make the store talk to an attacker-controlled host and alter app installation data, potentially leading to remote code execution on the device.

Executive priority

Prioritize remediation where Samsung devices are still managed, especially in mobile workforces using public networks. The business risk is device compromise during software installation, but exposure is limited to older Galaxy Apps versions and no active exploitation is confirmed here.

Technical view

Samsung Galaxy Apps before 4.4.01.7 used an HTTP load-balancer hostname lookup before SSL enforcement and lacked app signature validation in application XML. In a man-in-the-middle scenario, a valid certificate for an attacker-controlled hostname could support store API emulation and installation-time app modification.

Likely exposure

Exposure is mainly Samsung Android devices running Galaxy Apps before 4.4.01.7, especially when installing or updating apps over hostile or untrusted networks. The supplied CVE data does not provide broader product or version detail.

Exploitation context

The provided sources describe remote code execution via man-in-the-middle, but KEV is false and no cited source confirms active exploitation. A public technical write-up exists, so defenders should treat legacy exposed devices seriously.

Researcher notes

Key trust failures are pre-SSL hostname selection and missing signature validation in application XML. Validate defensively through version checks, patch state, and vendor advisories. Do not assume exploit activity or additional affected products beyond the supplied sources.

Mitigation direction

  • Update Samsung Galaxy Apps to version 4.4.01.7 or later.
  • Apply relevant Samsung mobile security updates from official guidance.
  • Use MDM to identify and remediate outdated Samsung app store clients.
  • Avoid app installation or updates over untrusted networks until remediated.
  • Retire or isolate devices that cannot receive the fixed app version.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Samsung devices and record installed Galaxy Apps versions.
  • Flag any Galaxy Apps version earlier than 4.4.01.7.
  • Confirm devices can receive Samsung app and security updates.
  • Review MDM telemetry for legacy Samsung devices still installing apps.
  • Check vendor guidance for any device-specific remediation notes.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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Execution behavior lookup

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CVE-2018-20135 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.