CVE-2022-39915 is an improper access control vulnerability (CWE-284) identified in the Samsung Calendar application on Samsung Mobile devices. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of the Samsung Calendar app across various Android versions, specifically Android Q (10), Android R (11), Android S (12), and Android T (13), prior to versions 11.6.08.0, 12.2.11.3000, 12.3.07.2000, and 12.4.02.0 respectively. The core issue arises from the app's handling of implicit intents, which are Android's messaging objects used to request actions from other app components. Due to improper access control, an attacker can exploit these implicit intents to gain unauthorized access to sensitive calendar information stored within the Samsung Calendar app. This could include personal schedules, meeting details, reminders, and potentially other confidential data managed by the calendar. The vulnerability does not require user authentication or interaction, making it more accessible to attackers who can craft malicious apps or scripts to send these implicit intents. However, there are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and Samsung has not publicly released patch links, although fixed versions have been identified. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to confidentiality breaches, exposing sensitive user information without altering data integrity or availability directly.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant privacy risk, especially for enterprises and government entities relying on Samsung mobile devices for scheduling and communication. Unauthorized access to calendar data can lead to exposure of sensitive meeting information, strategic plans, or personally identifiable information (PII) of employees and partners. This could facilitate targeted phishing attacks, corporate espionage, or social engineering campaigns. While the vulnerability does not directly impact system availability or data integrity, the confidentiality breach alone can have severe consequences, including regulatory non-compliance under GDPR, reputational damage, and potential financial penalties. Organizations with mobile workforces using Samsung devices are particularly at risk, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information remotely without user consent or awareness.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should prioritize updating Samsung Calendar applications to the fixed versions specified by Samsung (11.6.08.0 for Android Q, 12.2.11.3000 for Android R, 12.3.07.2000 for Android S, and 12.4.02.0 for Android T) as soon as updates become available. In addition, organizations should implement mobile device management (MDM) policies that restrict installation of untrusted applications that could exploit implicit intents. Employing application whitelisting and monitoring inter-app communication can help detect and block suspicious intent requests. User awareness training should emphasize the risks of installing unknown apps and the importance of applying timely updates. Network-level controls, such as restricting device access to sensitive corporate resources unless devices are compliant with security policies, can further reduce risk. Finally, organizations should audit calendar data access logs where possible and monitor for unusual access patterns indicative of exploitation attempts.