CVE-2025-20983 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in Samsung Mobile Devices, specifically involving an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787) in the KnoxVault trustlet component. The flaw arises during the process of checking an authentication secret within the KnoxVault trustlet prior to the SMR (Security Maintenance Release) July 2025 Release 1 update. This vulnerability allows a local attacker with privileged access to write beyond the intended memory boundaries, potentially corrupting memory regions. Such out-of-bounds writes can lead to unpredictable behavior, including escalation of privileges, arbitrary code execution, or denial of service. The vulnerability requires local privileged access (PR:H) and does not require user interaction (UI:N), but the attack complexity is high (AC:H), indicating that exploitation is non-trivial. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.4, reflecting a medium severity with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (all rated high). The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component or system. No known exploits are reported in the wild yet, and no patch links have been provided at the time of publication. The vulnerability affects Samsung Mobile Devices running KnoxVault trustlet versions prior to the July 2025 SMR update, though specific affected versions are not enumerated. The KnoxVault trustlet is a security-critical component responsible for secure key storage and cryptographic operations, so compromising it can undermine device security significantly.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially to enterprises and government agencies that rely on Samsung mobile devices for secure communications and data storage. Exploitation could allow a local privileged attacker—such as a malicious insider or malware that has gained elevated privileges—to corrupt memory within the KnoxVault trustlet, potentially leading to unauthorized access to cryptographic keys, sensitive credentials, or secure data. This could result in data breaches, loss of confidentiality, and compromise of device integrity. The ability to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service could disrupt business operations and erode trust in mobile security. Given the widespread use of Samsung devices in Europe, particularly in sectors like finance, healthcare, and public administration, the vulnerability could have broad implications if exploited. However, the requirement for local privileged access and high attack complexity somewhat limits the attack surface to scenarios where attackers have already gained significant footholds on devices.

European organizations should prioritize deploying the July 2025 SMR update from Samsung as soon as it becomes available to remediate this vulnerability. Until patches are applied, organizations should implement strict access controls to limit privileged access on Samsung mobile devices, including enforcing strong endpoint security policies and mobile device management (MDM) solutions that restrict installation of unauthorized applications and privilege escalation. Monitoring for unusual local privilege escalation attempts and anomalous behavior on devices can help detect exploitation attempts early. Additionally, organizations should educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications or granting elevated permissions. For high-security environments, consider isolating or limiting the use of vulnerable Samsung devices until patched. Regularly auditing device firmware versions and compliance with security updates is critical. Collaboration with Samsung support channels to obtain timely patches and guidance is recommended.