CVE-2022-1959 is a vulnerability identified in the AppLock - Fingerprint application, specifically version 7.9.29. The flaw arises from improper access control related to biometric authentication, where the application fails to correctly validate fingerprint inputs. This weakness allows an attacker with physical access to the device to bypass the biometric authentication mechanism entirely. Essentially, the app's fingerprint validation logic is flawed, enabling unauthorized users to gain access to protected applications or data without providing a legitimate fingerprint. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 (Improper Access Control), indicating a failure in enforcing correct access restrictions. The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.6 (medium severity), with the vector indicating that the attack requires physical access (AV:P), low attack complexity (AC:L), low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). This means that while the attacker needs physical access and some privileges on the device, they do not require user interaction to exploit the vulnerability. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked, suggesting that users of the affected version remain vulnerable unless they upgrade or uninstall the app. The vulnerability poses a significant risk to device security, as it undermines biometric protections that users rely on to secure sensitive information and applications.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate applications or data on devices where AppLock - Fingerprint is used. Since the attack requires physical access, the threat is particularly relevant in scenarios where devices are lost, stolen, or temporarily accessible to malicious insiders or visitors. The bypass of biometric authentication compromises confidentiality, allowing attackers to access private or corporate data, potentially leading to data breaches or leakage of intellectual property. Integrity and availability are also at risk, as attackers could modify or delete protected information or disrupt access to critical applications. This vulnerability undermines trust in biometric security controls, which are increasingly adopted in enterprise environments for convenience and enhanced security. Given the medium severity and the requirement for physical access, the impact is significant but limited to devices with the vulnerable app installed and accessible to attackers. Organizations relying on AppLock - Fingerprint for securing mobile applications or data should consider this a serious risk, especially for employees handling sensitive information or operating in high-risk environments.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should first identify and inventory all devices with AppLock - Fingerprint version 7.9.29 installed. Since no official patch is currently linked, the immediate recommendation is to uninstall the vulnerable version or upgrade to a version where the vulnerability is fixed, if available. Organizations should enforce strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized physical access to devices, including secure storage and device tracking. Additionally, they should consider deploying mobile device management (MDM) solutions that can enforce app whitelisting or blacklisting to prevent installation or use of vulnerable app versions. Users should be educated about the risks of leaving devices unattended and the importance of reporting lost or stolen devices promptly. As a longer-term measure, organizations should evaluate alternative biometric or multi-factor authentication solutions that have undergone rigorous security assessments. Regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on mobile device security can help identify similar weaknesses proactively.