CVE-2022-39890 is a medium-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-285 (Improper Authorization) affecting Samsung Billing, a component used in Samsung Mobile devices. The flaw exists in versions prior to 5.0.56.0 of Samsung Billing and allows an attacker to bypass authorization controls to access sensitive information. The vulnerability does not require user interaction or privileges (no authentication needed), and can be exploited locally (attack vector: local). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.2, reflecting a medium severity level. The impact is limited to confidentiality, with no effect on integrity or availability. The vulnerability arises from insufficient enforcement of authorization checks, enabling unauthorized access to data that should be protected. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the potential for information disclosure on affected Samsung devices is significant, especially considering the widespread use of Samsung Billing for in-app purchases and subscription management. The vulnerability’s local attack vector implies that an attacker must have local access to the device, which could be achieved through physical access or via other compromised apps or malware already present on the device. Since Samsung Billing is a core system app on Samsung smartphones, this vulnerability could expose sensitive billing or user data stored or processed by the component.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-39890 primarily concerns the confidentiality of sensitive billing and user information on Samsung mobile devices used within the enterprise. Organizations with employees using Samsung smartphones may face risks of data leakage if devices are compromised locally. This could lead to exposure of payment details, subscription information, or other personal data, potentially violating GDPR requirements on data protection and privacy. While the vulnerability does not affect device integrity or availability, the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information could facilitate further targeted attacks, social engineering, or fraud. Enterprises relying on Samsung devices for secure communications or mobile transactions should consider this vulnerability as a risk to their mobile security posture. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk, especially in environments where physical device access or malware infections are plausible. Additionally, organizations in sectors with high regulatory scrutiny or handling sensitive customer data (e.g., finance, healthcare) should be particularly cautious.

To mitigate CVE-2022-39890, organizations should ensure that all Samsung mobile devices are updated to Samsung Billing version 5.0.56.0 or later, where the authorization flaw is patched. Since no official patch links are provided in the source, users should monitor Samsung’s official update channels and apply firmware or app updates promptly. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict mobile device management (MDM) policies to limit local access to devices, including enforcing strong device lock mechanisms, disabling USB debugging, and restricting installation of untrusted applications that could exploit local vulnerabilities. Employing endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting suspicious local activity on mobile devices can further reduce risk. Regular audits of installed apps and permissions on Samsung devices can help identify potential vectors for local exploitation. For sensitive environments, consider restricting the use of Samsung devices until patched or implementing additional encryption and data protection controls on mobile endpoints. User awareness training about physical device security and risks of sideloading apps can also reduce exposure.