CVE-2022-39885 is an improper access control vulnerability identified in Samsung Mobile Devices, specifically affecting the DeviceManagement component's BootCompletedReceiver_CMCC prior to the November 2022 Security Maintenance Release (SMR). This vulnerability exists in devices running Android versions Q (10), R (11), and S (12). The flaw stems from insufficient permission checks (CWE-280) that allow a local attacker—someone with physical or logical access to the device but without elevated privileges—to access sensitive device information that should otherwise be protected. The vulnerability does not require any user interaction or prior authentication, making it easier for an attacker with local access to exploit. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.9, categorized as medium severity, reflecting limited but non-negligible impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), and the impact is low to medium on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:L/I:L/A:L). Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability could be leveraged to gather device information that might facilitate further attacks or privacy breaches. Samsung has not yet published explicit patch links, but the issue is addressed in the SMR November 2022 Release 1 and later. The vulnerability primarily affects Samsung mobile devices, which are widely used across Europe, especially in consumer and enterprise environments. Given the local attack vector, exploitation requires physical or local access, limiting remote exploitation but increasing risk in scenarios involving lost, stolen, or shared devices.

For European organizations, especially those with employees using Samsung mobile devices running Android 10, 11, or 12, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk. The improper access control could allow attackers with local access to extract device information that may include device identifiers, configuration details, or other sensitive metadata. This information could be used to facilitate targeted attacks, social engineering, or device cloning. In sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, where mobile devices often contain sensitive data or access to corporate networks, the vulnerability could lead to privacy breaches or unauthorized access escalation. Although the vulnerability does not allow remote exploitation or direct code execution, the ease of exploitation without authentication means that lost or stolen devices are particularly vulnerable. This could increase the risk of data leakage or compromise of corporate mobile endpoints. The impact on device integrity and availability is limited but present, as unauthorized access to device information may enable further attacks or manipulation. Overall, the vulnerability could undermine trust in mobile device security and complicate compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR if sensitive data is exposed.

European organizations should prioritize updating Samsung mobile devices to the November 2022 SMR or later to ensure the vulnerability is patched. Until updates are applied, organizations should enforce strict physical security policies for mobile devices, including mandatory device encryption, strong lock screen authentication, and remote wipe capabilities to mitigate risks from lost or stolen devices. Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions that can enforce security policies and monitor device compliance. Additionally, restrict local access to devices by limiting shared device usage and educating users on the risks of leaving devices unattended. For high-risk environments, consider disabling or restricting the DeviceManagement component if feasible, or applying custom security policies that limit access to sensitive device information. Regularly audit device configurations and access logs to detect any unauthorized local access attempts. Finally, raise user awareness about the importance of promptly reporting lost or stolen devices to enable rapid incident response.