CVE-2022-39905 is an improper authorization vulnerability (CWE-285) affecting Samsung Mobile Devices running Android versions Q (10), R (11), S (12), and T (13) prior to the December 2022 Security Maintenance Release (SMR). The vulnerability arises from implicit intent hijacking within the Telecom application. Implicit intents in Android allow apps to request actions without specifying the exact component to handle them, relying on the system to resolve the best candidate. In this case, the Telecom app does not properly enforce authorization checks when processing these implicit intents, enabling an attacker-controlled app to intercept or hijack these intents. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information managed by the Telecom app, such as call logs, telephony state, or other private data. Since the flaw is due to improper authorization, it means that the Telecom app assumes the sender of the intent is authorized without verifying it, allowing malicious apps to exploit this trust boundary. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Samsung devices running Android 10 through 13, which covers a significant portion of Samsung's mobile device user base. No public exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date, and no official patches or updates have been linked in the provided data, though Samsung's December 2022 SMR is expected to address this issue. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond installing a malicious app capable of sending crafted implicit intents to the Telecom app. The attacker does not need elevated privileges but must have an app installed on the device, which could be achieved via social engineering or sideloading. The Telecom app's role in managing telephony functions makes this vulnerability particularly sensitive, as unauthorized access to telephony data can compromise user privacy and potentially facilitate further attacks such as call interception or fraud.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-39905 can be significant, especially for enterprises relying on Samsung mobile devices for communication and operational purposes. Unauthorized access to telephony data could lead to leakage of sensitive call metadata, contact information, or other private communications, undermining confidentiality. This could affect sectors with stringent data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies. Additionally, compromised devices could be used as footholds for lateral movement or espionage within corporate networks. The vulnerability could also erode user trust in mobile device security, impacting BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies prevalent in European organizations. While the vulnerability does not directly enable remote code execution or device takeover, the exposure of sensitive telephony information can facilitate social engineering attacks or targeted phishing campaigns. Given the GDPR regulatory environment in Europe, any data breach resulting from exploitation could lead to substantial legal and financial penalties. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often develop exploits post-disclosure. Organizations with large Samsung device deployments should prioritize remediation to mitigate potential risks.

1. Immediate deployment of the December 2022 Samsung Mobile Security Maintenance Release (SMR) or later updates that address this vulnerability is critical. 2. Implement mobile device management (MDM) solutions that restrict installation of untrusted or unauthorized applications to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting implicit intent hijacking. 3. Enforce strict app vetting policies and educate users about the risks of sideloading apps or installing apps from untrusted sources. 4. Monitor device logs and network traffic for unusual telephony-related activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Where possible, restrict or sandbox the Telecom app’s interaction with third-party apps through enhanced permission controls or custom policies via MDM. 6. Encourage users to regularly update their devices and verify the integrity of installed applications. 7. For high-security environments, consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of identifying anomalous inter-process communication patterns indicative of intent hijacking. 8. Collaborate with Samsung support channels to obtain timely patches and security advisories.