CVE-2025-20949 is a path traversal vulnerability identified in the Samsung Members application for Samsung Mobile devices, affecting versions prior to 5.0.00.11. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-35, which pertains to improper neutralization of special elements used in a path, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths to access files and directories outside the intended scope. Specifically, this vulnerability allows an attacker to use path traversal sequences such as '.../...//' to read and write arbitrary files with the privileges of the Samsung Members application. Since Samsung Members typically runs with user-level privileges on Samsung mobile devices, exploitation could allow unauthorized access to sensitive files or modification of files accessible to the app. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.1 (medium severity), with vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N, indicating that the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and impacts confidentiality and integrity to a low degree but does not affect availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The vulnerability was published on May 7, 2025, and no patch links are provided yet, suggesting that remediation may still be pending or in progress. The vulnerability could be leveraged by an attacker with local access to the device, such as through physical access or via another compromised app or process, to escalate their access to files beyond the app's intended sandbox. This could lead to leakage or tampering of sensitive data stored on the device or within the app's accessible directories.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability primarily concerns employees or users who utilize Samsung mobile devices with the vulnerable Samsung Members app installed. If exploited, attackers could gain unauthorized access to sensitive files on these devices, potentially exposing corporate data or personal information. This is particularly relevant for organizations with bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies or those that issue Samsung devices to staff. The ability to write arbitrary files could also allow attackers to implant malicious files or modify configuration files, potentially facilitating further compromise or persistence on the device. While the vulnerability requires local access, it could be exploited in scenarios where devices are lost, stolen, or accessed by malicious insiders. Additionally, if combined with other vulnerabilities or malware, it could be part of a multi-stage attack chain targeting sensitive organizational data. The medium severity rating suggests a moderate risk, but the actual impact depends on the sensitivity of data accessible via the Samsung Members app and the security posture of the affected devices. Organizations in sectors with high data protection requirements, such as finance, healthcare, or government, may face increased risk if such devices are used to access or store regulated data.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should prioritize updating Samsung Members to version 5.0.00.11 or later once the patch is released by Samsung. Until then, organizations should: 1) Restrict physical access to Samsung devices and enforce strong device-level authentication to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 2) Implement mobile device management (MDM) solutions to monitor and control app versions and enforce timely updates. 3) Limit the installation of unnecessary apps and restrict permissions granted to Samsung Members where possible. 4) Educate users about the risks of leaving devices unattended and the importance of reporting lost or stolen devices immediately. 5) Monitor for unusual file access or modification activities on devices, which could indicate exploitation attempts. 6) Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of detecting suspicious local file system activities on mobile devices. 7) Review and enforce policies around BYOD usage, ensuring that vulnerable devices are identified and remediated promptly. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling local access, monitoring device integrity, and enforcing update policies specific to the Samsung Members app and Samsung mobile devices.