CVE-2024-20810 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Samsung Mobile Devices, specifically related to the Smart Suggestions feature prior to the SMR (Security Maintenance Release) February 2024 Release 1. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-927, which involves the use of implicit intents for sensitive communication. In Android, implicit intents are messages sent between components without specifying the exact recipient, allowing the system to determine the best component to handle the request. This mechanism, while flexible, can be exploited if sensitive data is sent via implicit intents without proper safeguards. In this case, local attackers on the device can hijack these implicit intents used by the Smart Suggestions feature to intercept or access sensitive information. Since the attack requires local access, it implies that an adversary must already have some level of access to the device, such as through a malicious app or physical access. The vulnerability does not require network exploitation or remote code execution but leverages the Android inter-process communication (IPC) mechanism to gain unauthorized access to data. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and Samsung has not yet published a patch or update link at the time of this report. The vulnerability affects Samsung Mobile Devices running versions prior to the February 2024 SMR, although specific affected versions are not detailed. The issue highlights a design flaw in how implicit intents are used for sensitive data exchange within the device's software ecosystem, potentially leading to confidentiality breaches if exploited.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-20810 primarily concerns confidentiality breaches on Samsung mobile devices used within corporate environments. Since the vulnerability allows local attackers to intercept sensitive information via implicit intent hijacking, any sensitive corporate data processed or suggested by the Smart Suggestions feature could be exposed. This is particularly critical for organizations that rely heavily on Samsung devices for communication, productivity, or mobile workflows. The vulnerability could facilitate insider threats or attacks involving malicious apps installed on employee devices, leading to data leakage or unauthorized information disclosure. While the vulnerability does not directly affect device availability or integrity, the confidentiality impact could undermine trust in mobile device security and compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR. Additionally, organizations in sectors with high data sensitivity—such as finance, healthcare, and government—could face increased risks if attackers leverage this vulnerability to access protected information. The lack of remote exploitation capability limits the threat to local or physical attackers, but given the widespread use of Samsung devices in Europe, the potential attack surface remains significant.

To mitigate CVE-2024-20810, European organizations should implement several specific measures beyond generic advice: 1) Enforce strict application installation policies to prevent unauthorized or untrusted apps from being installed on Samsung devices, reducing the risk of local attackers leveraging malicious apps to exploit the vulnerability. 2) Utilize Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to monitor and control device configurations, ensuring that devices are updated promptly once Samsung releases the SMR February 2024 patch addressing this issue. 3) Disable or restrict the Smart Suggestions feature on Samsung devices where feasible, especially on devices handling highly sensitive information, until the patch is applied. 4) Educate users about the risks of installing apps from unknown sources and the importance of device security hygiene to minimize local attack vectors. 5) Implement endpoint security solutions capable of detecting suspicious inter-process communication or intent hijacking behaviors on mobile devices. 6) Regularly audit device security posture and review logs for unusual activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. 7) Coordinate with Samsung support channels to obtain timely updates and verify patch deployment status across the device fleet.