CVE-2025-20982 is a vulnerability classified as CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) affecting Samsung Mobile Devices, specifically within the KnoxVault trustlet component. The flaw arises during the process of setting an authentication secret, where a local privileged attacker can perform an out-of-bounds memory write. This vulnerability exists in Samsung Mobile devices prior to the SMR (Security Maintenance Release) July 2025 Release 1 update. The out-of-bounds write can lead to corruption of memory, potentially allowing an attacker to escalate privileges, execute arbitrary code, or cause denial of service by crashing the device or critical services. The vulnerability requires local privileged access, meaning the attacker must already have elevated permissions on the device, and no user interaction is needed to exploit it. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.4, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. This means the attack vector is local, the attack complexity is high, privileges required are high, no user interaction is needed, and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no patch links have been provided yet. The vulnerability is significant because KnoxVault is a trusted execution environment component responsible for secure key storage and cryptographic operations, so compromising it can undermine device security at a fundamental level.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to employees and users who utilize Samsung Mobile devices, especially those with privileged access or who may have installed applications or configurations granting elevated permissions. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, compromise of cryptographic keys, or disruption of mobile device operations. This is particularly critical for sectors relying heavily on mobile security, such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that data breaches, unauthorized transactions, or service outages could occur. Given the local and privileged nature of the exploit, insider threats or malware that gains elevated privileges could leverage this vulnerability to deepen compromise. The lack of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk, but the medium severity and potential for privilege escalation warrant prompt attention.

European organizations should prioritize updating Samsung Mobile devices to the SMR July 2025 Release 1 or later as soon as the patch becomes available. Until then, they should enforce strict controls on device privilege escalation, including limiting administrative access on mobile devices, employing mobile device management (MDM) solutions to monitor and restrict privilege grants, and ensuring that only trusted applications are installed. Regular audits of device configurations and installed software can help detect unauthorized privilege escalations. Additionally, organizations should educate users about the risks of granting elevated permissions and monitor for suspicious local activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. Employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of monitoring mobile devices can further enhance detection capabilities. Finally, maintaining a robust incident response plan that includes mobile device compromise scenarios will improve preparedness.