CVE-2022-44636 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Samsung smart TVs from the 2021 and 2022 model years. The flaw resides in the smart remote control functionality, specifically in the way the remote interacts with the TV via Bluetooth. When a user activates the remote control by pressing a button, an attacker can exploit Bluetooth spoofing techniques to enable microphone access without proper authorization. This unauthorized microphone activation could allow an attacker to eavesdrop on conversations near the TV, potentially compromising user privacy and confidentiality. The vulnerability is linked to improper authentication (CWE-290) in the Bluetooth pairing or command validation process, allowing an attacker to impersonate the legitimate remote control device. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.6, reflecting a medium severity level, with the vector indicating that the attack requires adjacent network access (Bluetooth range), no privileges, but does require user interaction (pressing a button). The impact affects confidentiality and integrity to a limited extent, with no direct impact on availability. Samsung has addressed this vulnerability in firmware updates identified as xxx72510 and E9172511 for 2021 models, and xxxA1000 and 4x2A0200 for 2022 models. No known exploits have been reported in the wild to date. The vulnerability highlights risks inherent in Bluetooth device authentication and the need for robust validation mechanisms in IoT and smart home devices.

For European organizations, the primary impact of this vulnerability is on privacy and confidentiality, particularly in environments where sensitive discussions may occur near affected Samsung smart TVs. This includes corporate meeting rooms, executive offices, and home offices where employees may use these devices. Unauthorized microphone activation could lead to information leakage, espionage, or surveillance. Although the attack requires physical proximity (Bluetooth range) and user interaction (pressing a button), the risk remains significant in high-security environments or where attackers can gain temporary physical access. The integrity of commands sent to the TV could also be compromised, potentially enabling further unauthorized control or data leakage. However, the lack of availability impact and the medium CVSS score suggest the threat is moderate rather than critical. Organizations relying on Samsung smart TVs for conferencing or presentations should be aware of this risk. Additionally, privacy regulations such as GDPR increase the importance of mitigating unauthorized data capture risks.

1. Immediate firmware updates: Organizations and users should promptly apply the Samsung firmware updates (xxx72510, E9172511 for 2021 models; xxxA1000, 4x2A0200 for 2022 models) to remediate the vulnerability. 2. Disable or restrict Bluetooth usage: Where possible, disable Bluetooth on smart TVs or restrict pairing to trusted devices only. 3. Physical security controls: Limit physical access to smart TVs in sensitive areas to prevent attackers from being within Bluetooth range. 4. User awareness: Educate users to be cautious when activating the remote control, especially in public or semi-public environments, to reduce the risk of inadvertent exploitation. 5. Network segmentation: Place smart TVs on isolated network segments to limit potential lateral movement or data exfiltration. 6. Monitor unusual device behavior: Implement monitoring for unexpected microphone activation or Bluetooth pairing attempts. 7. Vendor engagement: Encourage Samsung and other vendors to adopt stronger authentication mechanisms for Bluetooth devices and improve security testing for IoT peripherals. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on operational controls, user behavior, and network architecture tailored to the specific Bluetooth spoofing vector.