CVE-2025-20994 is a medium severity vulnerability identified in Samsung Internet, specifically in the SyncClientProvider component when installed on non-Samsung devices prior to version 28.0.0.59. The vulnerability arises from incorrect default permissions (CWE-276), which lead to improper handling of insufficient permission checks. This flaw allows local attackers to gain unauthorized read and write access to arbitrary files on the affected device. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring the attacker to have local access to the device, and the attack complexity is high (AC:H), indicating that exploitation is not straightforward. No privileges are required (PR:N), but user interaction is necessary (UI:R), meaning the attacker must trick the user into performing some action to exploit the vulnerability. The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is low (C:L/I:L/A:L), reflecting limited but non-negligible damage potential. The vulnerability is specific to Samsung Internet browser installations on non-Samsung devices, which suggests that the issue stems from a misconfiguration or oversight in permission settings for this particular environment. There are no known exploits in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that mitigation may currently rely on vendor updates or workarounds. The vulnerability could allow an attacker with local access to manipulate files arbitrarily, potentially leading to data leakage, data corruption, or disruption of normal browser operations, but the requirement for local access and user interaction limits the attack surface.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-20994 is moderate but should not be underestimated. Organizations that allow or encourage the use of Samsung Internet browser on non-Samsung devices (e.g., employees using personal devices or certain BYOD policies) could be exposed to local attacks that compromise file integrity and confidentiality. This could lead to leakage of sensitive corporate data stored or cached by the browser or manipulation of files that affect browser behavior or user data. The requirement for local access and user interaction reduces the risk of widespread remote exploitation but raises concerns in environments where physical device access is possible, such as shared workspaces or public access terminals. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a multi-stage attack, where an attacker first gains limited local access and then escalates privileges or moves laterally within the network. Given the widespread use of mobile devices in European enterprises and the increasing trend of remote and hybrid work, this vulnerability could be exploited in scenarios involving device theft, loss, or insider threats.

To mitigate CVE-2025-20994 effectively, European organizations should: 1) Enforce strict device management policies that limit or monitor the installation of Samsung Internet browser on non-Samsung devices, especially in corporate environments. 2) Educate users about the risks of local attacks and the importance of not interacting with suspicious prompts or links that could trigger exploitation. 3) Implement endpoint security solutions that detect and prevent unauthorized file access or modifications, particularly focusing on browser-related processes. 4) Regularly audit and restrict physical access to devices, especially in shared or public environments, to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 5) Monitor for updates from Samsung and apply patches promptly once available, as the vendor is expected to release a fix addressing the permission misconfiguration. 6) Consider deploying application whitelisting or sandboxing techniques to isolate the browser and limit its file system access on non-Samsung devices. 7) Review and tighten file system permissions and access controls on devices to prevent unauthorized read/write operations by applications.