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In December 2024, a Serbian youth activist’s Android phone was targeted and unlocked by a sophisticated zero-day exploit developed by Cellebrite, a company known for its digital forensic tools. The attack took place after the activist, referred to as “Vedran” for privacy reasons, participated in a student protest in Belgrade. The exploit targeted a vulnerability in the Android USB drivers, showcasing how far-reaching digital surveillance has become and raising alarms about the security of Android devices. This event was documented by Amnesty International and highlighted the increasing misuse of hacking tools in politically sensitive environments.
The exploited vulnerability, CVE-2024-53104, allowed authorities to bypass the lock screen on Vedran’s Samsung Galaxy A32 and gain privileged access to the device. This was made possible by a chain of zero-day exploits targeting Linux USB drivers, raising concerns over the security of both Android and Linux platforms. Below is a breakdown of the exploit and its implications.
The Exploit Chain and its Impact
The vulnerability in question is CVE-2024-53104, which affects the USB Video Class (UVC) driver in the Linux kernel, leading to privilege escalation. With a CVSS score of 7.8, this flaw allowed Cellebrite’s tools to exploit the USB interface on Android devices, providing physical access to bypass lock screens and unlock the devices. This particular vulnerability was patched in December 2024 by the Linux kernel and subsequently addressed for Android in early 2025.
CVE-2024-53104 wasn’t an isolated flaw. It was part of a broader exploit chain that also involved two other vulnerabilities:
- CVE-2024-53197: A vulnerability that causes out-of-bounds access, primarily affecting Extigy and Mbox devices.
- CVE-2024-50302: A vulnerability allowing the use of an uninitialized resource, potentially leaking kernel memory.
These flaws were addressed in the Linux kernel but have not yet been included in the official Android security updates. However, the significant concern lies in the fact that these exploits remain available for exploitation in Android environments, despite the patches for the Linux kernel.
A Case Study of Digital Surveillance in Action
Amnesty International’s investigation revealed that the activist’s phone was exploited and unlocked after being confiscated by Serbian authorities. Upon gaining access to the device, the authorities attempted to install an unknown Android application on Vedran’s Samsung Galaxy A32. While the exact nature of the application remains unclear, it aligns with previous reports of NoviSpy spyware, a surveillance tool that was allegedly used by authorities in Serbia.
This exploit highlights the significant risks to activists, journalists, and political dissidents who are frequently targeted by state actors looking to gain access to sensitive information. With physical access to a device, hackers can bypass encryption and security measures that would otherwise protect personal data. This event is just one example of how powerful surveillance tools are being misused, emphasizing the need for greater security measures and transparency in the technology sector.
What Undercode Says: Analyzing the Implications of the Exploit
The incident with Vedran’s phone highlights the growing sophistication of surveillance technologies and the vulnerabilities inherent in the devices we use daily. The fact that an exploit like CVE-2024-53104 could be leveraged in such a targeted way shows just how vulnerable modern smartphones are, especially when coupled with the capabilities of companies like Cellebrite. While their tools are typically marketed as a way for law enforcement agencies to unlock devices for legal investigations, this case paints a troubling picture of how these technologies can be misused for political repression.
The exploitation of USB drivers specifically raises several red flags. USB ports are one of the most commonly used interfaces on mobile devices, and the fact that they can be used as an attack vector emphasizes how critical security updates are. For activists and others at risk of digital surveillance, this incident underscores the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest security patches and being aware of potential physical tampering.
Furthermore, the involvement of NoviSpy spyware in this case points to a larger pattern of state-sponsored surveillance in politically sensitive regions. The use of spyware to monitor activists, journalists, and political dissenters has become a significant concern in many parts of the world. This attack isn’t an isolated incident but rather part of a broader trend of using digital tools to suppress free speech and monitor political opposition.
What makes this situation even more concerning is the potential for misuse of such tools in authoritarian regimes. When combined with the use of surveillance software, the ability to physically bypass security on smartphones becomes a powerful tool for silencing dissent. It’s also important to note that companies like Cellebrite, which market their products for legal investigations, play a significant role in enabling such breaches, raising questions about the ethical implications of their products.
Fact Checker Results: Key Points
- Vulnerability CVE-2024-53104: A significant flaw in the Linux USB drivers that was exploited to gain unauthorized access to Android devices.
- Cellebrite’s Role: The Israeli company provides tools that can unlock devices, and its products were used in this case to bypass the lock screen on the activist’s phone.
- Spyware Allegations: The use of NoviSpy spyware is suspected based on the attempted installation of an unknown app on the activist’s phone.
References:
Reported By: https://thehackernews.com/2025/02/amnesty-finds-cellebrites-zero-day.html
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