CVE-2024-20813 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Samsung Mobile Devices, specifically involving a classic buffer overflow (CWE-120) in the padmd_vld_qtbl function of the libpadm.so library. This vulnerability arises from an out-of-bounds write condition, where the software fails to properly check the size of input data before copying it into a buffer. The flaw exists in versions of Samsung Mobile Devices prior to the SMR (Security Maintenance Release) February 2024 Release 1 update. Exploitation of this vulnerability allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected device without requiring any privileges or user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.4, reflecting its critical potential. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the nature of the vulnerability—buffer overflow—makes it a prime candidate for exploitation, potentially leading to full device compromise. The vulnerability is related to CWE-120 (classic buffer overflow) and CWE-787 (out-of-bounds write), both of which are common and dangerous software flaws that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability is local, meaning the attacker needs local access to the device, but no privileges or user interaction are required, increasing the risk if an attacker gains physical or local access. The lack of patch links suggests that users should verify their device firmware is updated to at least the SMR February 2024 Release 1 or later to mitigate this issue.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-20813 can be significant, especially for enterprises relying on Samsung Mobile Devices for communication, mobile workforce operations, or sensitive data access. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, potentially allowing attackers to install malware, exfiltrate sensitive corporate data, or disrupt mobile device availability. This could compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of corporate information accessed or stored on these devices. Given the local attack vector, the threat is more pronounced in environments where devices may be physically accessible to attackers or where malicious insiders exist. The absence of required privileges or user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation once local access is obtained. This vulnerability could also be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value personnel or in scenarios where attackers gain temporary device access, such as at conferences or shared workspaces. The potential for arbitrary code execution raises concerns about lateral movement within corporate networks if compromised devices are connected to internal systems. Additionally, the vulnerability could impact compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR if personal or sensitive data is exposed due to exploitation.

To mitigate CVE-2024-20813, European organizations should take the following specific actions: 1) Immediately verify that all Samsung Mobile Devices are updated to the SMR February 2024 Release 1 or later, as this update addresses the vulnerability. 2) Implement strict physical security controls to limit local access to mobile devices, including policies for device handling, storage, and use in public or shared environments. 3) Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, monitor device integrity, and remotely wipe or lock devices if compromise is suspected. 4) Educate employees about the risks of leaving devices unattended and the importance of reporting lost or stolen devices promptly. 5) Restrict installation of untrusted or unnecessary local applications that could be used to trigger the vulnerability. 6) Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on mobile device security to detect potential exploitation attempts. 7) Monitor device logs and network traffic for unusual behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 8) Coordinate with Samsung support channels to receive timely updates and advisories related to this vulnerability. These measures go beyond generic advice by emphasizing patch management, physical security, and proactive monitoring tailored to the local attack vector and the nature of the vulnerability.