CVE-2022-39910 is an improper access control vulnerability (CWE-284) found in Samsung Pass, a biometric authentication and password management application integrated into Samsung Mobile devices. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 4.0.06.7 and allows a physical attacker to access sensitive data stored within Samsung Pass under a specific condition: when the device is unlocked and in a certain state involving the use of the pop-up view feature. The pop-up view is a multitasking feature on Samsung devices that allows apps to be displayed in a resizable floating window. Due to improper access control, an attacker with physical access to the device can exploit this feature to bypass intended security restrictions and view or extract sensitive authentication data stored in Samsung Pass without requiring additional authentication or user interaction. The vulnerability does not require remote exploitation or network access, limiting the attack vector to physical proximity. There are no known exploits in the wild reported, and Samsung has not provided a patch link, indicating either a pending fix or mitigation through device updates. The vulnerability was reserved in early September 2022 and published in December 2022. The improper access control flaw compromises the confidentiality of stored credentials and biometric data, potentially exposing users to credential theft, unauthorized account access, and identity fraud. However, the attack requires physical access to an unlocked device, which limits the scope of exploitation but still poses a significant risk especially in scenarios where devices are lost, stolen, or temporarily unattended.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily in environments where Samsung mobile devices are used to access corporate resources or manage sensitive credentials. The exposure of Samsung Pass data could lead to unauthorized access to corporate accounts, VPNs, or internal systems if credentials are compromised. This risk is heightened in sectors with strict data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies. The physical access requirement means that insider threats or theft scenarios are the most likely exploitation vectors. Additionally, organizations with mobile device management (MDM) policies that allow Samsung devices without stringent lock screen controls or that permit pop-up view multitasking may be more vulnerable. The vulnerability could undermine trust in mobile device security, potentially leading to increased operational risks and compliance challenges under GDPR if personal data is exposed. However, the lack of remote exploitation and the necessity of an unlocked device reduce the likelihood of widespread automated attacks.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Enforce strict device lock policies ensuring devices are locked when unattended, including short timeout periods and mandatory biometric or PIN authentication. 2) Disable or restrict the use of pop-up view multitasking on Samsung devices through enterprise mobility management (EMM) or MDM solutions to prevent the attack vector from being exploited. 3) Educate users on the risks of leaving devices unlocked in public or shared environments and encourage secure handling of mobile devices. 4) Monitor for updates from Samsung and apply patches promptly once available, as the vendor has not yet provided a patch link. 5) Consider disabling Samsung Pass for corporate accounts or sensitive applications if alternative secure authentication methods are available. 6) Implement additional layers of authentication (e.g., multi-factor authentication) for critical applications to reduce the impact of credential compromise. 7) Audit and review mobile device configurations regularly to ensure compliance with security policies that mitigate physical access risks.