CVE-2023-42576 is an improper authentication vulnerability identified in Samsung Pass, a biometric authentication and password management application integrated into Samsung Mobile devices. The flaw exists in versions prior to 4.3.00.17 and stems from an invalid exception handler that allows physical attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms. Specifically, the vulnerability is categorized under CWE-287 (Improper Authentication), indicating that the application fails to properly verify the identity of users under certain conditions. Exploitation requires physical access to the device and involves triggering an exception that the application mishandles, thereby circumventing the authentication process. The CVSS v3.1 score of 5.4 (medium severity) reflects that the attack vector is physical (AV:P), with low attack complexity (AC:L), but requires high privileges (PR:H) and user interaction (UI:R). The impact includes potential compromise of confidentiality and integrity, as attackers could gain unauthorized access to sensitive credentials and personal data stored within Samsung Pass. There is no indication of known exploits in the wild as of the publication date, and no patch links are currently provided, suggesting that remediation may be pending or distributed through Samsung’s update channels. This vulnerability is significant because Samsung Pass is widely used for secure authentication and password management on Samsung devices, and bypassing it undermines the security assurances provided by biometric and password protections.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be substantial, especially for enterprises and individuals relying on Samsung devices for secure authentication and password management. Unauthorized access to Samsung Pass could lead to exposure of corporate credentials, personal identification information, and access tokens, potentially facilitating lateral movement within corporate networks or unauthorized transactions. The requirement for physical access limits remote exploitation but raises concerns for lost, stolen, or unattended devices. In sectors with stringent data protection regulations such as GDPR, a breach resulting from this vulnerability could lead to regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, organizations with mobile workforces using Samsung devices may face increased risk of credential theft and subsequent compromise of enterprise resources. The medium severity rating suggests a moderate but non-trivial risk that should be addressed promptly to maintain device and data security.

Organizations and users should ensure that Samsung Pass is updated to version 4.3.00.17 or later, where this vulnerability is addressed. Until updates are available or deployed, physical security of devices must be strictly enforced to prevent unauthorized access. Additional mitigations include enabling device-level encryption and strong lock screen protections (PIN, password, or biometric) to reduce the risk of physical bypass. Enterprises should consider implementing Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, remotely lock or wipe lost devices, and monitor device compliance. User education on the risks of leaving devices unattended and the importance of reporting lost or stolen devices promptly is critical. Finally, organizations should review and limit the use of Samsung Pass for storing highly sensitive credentials until the vulnerability is fully mitigated.