CVE-2025-20991 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Samsung Mobile devices related to the improper export of Android application components within the Bluetooth subsystem. Specifically, this vulnerability arises from an incorrect configuration or coding practice that allows certain Android components to be exported improperly, violating secure design principles as outlined in CWE-926 (Improper Export of Android Application Components). The flaw exists in Samsung Mobile devices running Android versions prior to the June 2025 Security Maintenance Release (SMR) Release 1. Exploitation of this vulnerability enables a local attacker—someone with physical or local access to the device—to manipulate the Bluetooth functionality to make the device discoverable without user consent or notification. This could potentially allow unauthorized Bluetooth pairing attempts or reconnaissance by malicious actors in proximity. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 4.0 reflects that the attack vector is local (AV:L), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact is limited to integrity (I:L), with no direct confidentiality or availability impact. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that mitigation may rely on upcoming official updates or manual configuration changes. The vulnerability does not require user interaction or prior authentication, which increases its risk profile in scenarios where an attacker gains local access to the device. However, the scope is limited to Bluetooth discoverability, which is a relatively constrained attack surface compared to remote code execution or privilege escalation vulnerabilities.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-20991 is primarily related to the potential for unauthorized Bluetooth discovery and pairing attempts on Samsung Mobile devices used within corporate environments. This could lead to unauthorized access to device features or data leakage through Bluetooth channels if paired devices are exploited. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or availability, it could serve as an initial vector for further attacks, especially in environments where sensitive data is accessed via mobile devices. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or those that rely heavily on Samsung smartphones for field operations, secure communications, or mobile workforce management may face increased risk. The local attack requirement limits the threat to scenarios where an attacker has physical proximity or access, such as in public spaces, offices, or transit hubs. This vulnerability could also undermine trust in device security, potentially affecting compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR if unauthorized data access occurs. Additionally, the improper export of components could be leveraged in combination with other vulnerabilities to escalate attacks, making it a concern for layered security strategies.

To mitigate CVE-2025-20991, European organizations should: 1) Prioritize the deployment of the Samsung Mobile June 2025 Security Maintenance Release (SMR) Release 1 or later updates as soon as they become available to ensure the vulnerability is patched. 2) Implement strict Bluetooth usage policies, including disabling Bluetooth discoverability when not in use, especially in sensitive or high-risk environments. 3) Enforce device configuration management to restrict Bluetooth settings and prevent unauthorized changes by users. 4) Educate employees on the risks of leaving Bluetooth enabled and discoverable in public or unsecured locations. 5) Utilize Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to monitor and control Bluetooth settings remotely, allowing centralized enforcement of security policies. 6) Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments on mobile devices to detect misconfigurations or signs of exploitation. 7) Consider physical security controls to limit unauthorized local access to devices, such as secure storage or access controls in workplaces. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on operational controls, user behavior, and proactive patch management tailored to the specific nature of this Bluetooth-related vulnerability.