CVE-2024-20825 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in the Samsung Mobile Galaxy Store application, specifically related to the In-App Purchase (IAP) component prior to version 4.5.63.6. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-927, which concerns the use of implicit intents for sensitive communication. Implicit intents in Android allow components to request actions from other components without specifying the exact target, which can be intercepted or hijacked by malicious local applications. In this case, the Galaxy Store's IAP mechanism uses implicit intents to handle sensitive information, such as purchase data or user credentials, which can be accessed by local attackers through intent hijacking. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. This means the attack requires local access (local vector), low attack complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction is necessary. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality (high impact) but does not affect integrity or availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patch links are provided yet. The vulnerability was reserved in December 2023 and published in February 2024, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. The lack of affected versions detail suggests all versions prior to 4.5.63.6 are vulnerable. The core technical issue is that implicit intents can be intercepted by malicious apps installed on the same device, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data transmitted during in-app purchases, potentially leading to privacy breaches or fraud.

For European organizations, especially those with employees or customers using Samsung Galaxy devices with the Galaxy Store app, this vulnerability poses a risk of local data exposure. Attackers with local device access—such as through malicious apps installed on employee devices or compromised devices—could intercept sensitive purchase information, potentially leading to financial fraud or leakage of confidential transaction data. This is particularly concerning for sectors handling sensitive transactions or intellectual property, such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies. Although the attack requires local access and user interaction, the widespread use of Samsung devices in Europe increases the attack surface. The confidentiality breach could undermine trust in mobile commerce and internal app ecosystems. However, since the vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability, the direct operational disruption is limited. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for targeted attacks, especially in high-value environments.

European organizations should prioritize updating the Samsung Galaxy Store app to version 4.5.63.6 or later as soon as it becomes available to eliminate the vulnerability. Until patches are deployed, organizations should enforce strict mobile device management (MDM) policies to restrict installation of untrusted or unknown applications that could exploit implicit intent hijacking. Employing application whitelisting and monitoring for suspicious app behavior can reduce risk. User education is critical to prevent inadvertent interaction with malicious prompts or apps. Additionally, organizations should audit and limit local device access, ensuring that only authorized personnel can install or run applications on corporate devices. Implementing endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting intent hijacking or unusual inter-app communication may provide early warning. Finally, Samsung device users should be advised to avoid installing apps from unverified sources and to report any suspicious app behavior promptly.