CVE-2025-20995 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in Samsung Internet, the web browser developed by Samsung Mobile, specifically affecting versions prior to 28.0.0.59 when installed on non-Samsung devices. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of insufficient permissions within the ClientProvider component. This flaw allows local attackers to bypass intended permission restrictions, enabling them to read and write arbitrary files on the affected device. The underlying weakness is categorized under CWE-280, which relates to improper handling of insufficient permissions. Exploitation requires local access to the device, no user interaction, and no prior authentication, but the attack complexity is high due to the need for local access and the presence of permission controls. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.9, reflecting limited confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, and a relatively constrained attack vector. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability primarily affects Samsung Internet installations on non-Samsung Android devices, which is an important distinction since Samsung Internet is often pre-installed on Samsung devices but also available for download on other Android devices. The flaw could allow a malicious local user or app to manipulate files beyond their intended access rights, potentially leading to data leakage or corruption.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-20995 depends largely on the prevalence of Samsung Internet usage on non-Samsung Android devices within their environment. Since the vulnerability requires local access, the primary risk vector is through insider threats or malware that gains local execution privileges. The ability to read and write arbitrary files could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, tampering with critical files, or persistence mechanisms for malware. This could affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data on affected devices. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or those that allow employee use of personal non-Samsung Android devices with Samsung Internet installed may face increased risk. The vulnerability could also be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value individuals or in environments where local device access is possible. However, the medium severity and high attack complexity limit the likelihood of widespread exploitation. Still, the potential for lateral movement or data exfiltration within corporate networks exists if compromised devices connect to internal resources.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should: 1) Enforce strict device management policies that restrict installation of Samsung Internet on non-Samsung devices or monitor its presence via Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions. 2) Educate users about the risks of installing unnecessary or unvetted applications, especially browsers from third-party sources. 3) Limit local access to devices by enforcing strong authentication and physical security controls to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 4) Monitor for unusual file access or modification activities on endpoints that may indicate exploitation attempts. 5) Stay alert for official patches or updates from Samsung and prioritize timely deployment once available. 6) Consider application whitelisting or sandboxing techniques to restrict the capabilities of Samsung Internet on non-Samsung devices. 7) Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments focusing on endpoint security and application permissions. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling the specific attack vector (local access) and the particular affected product (Samsung Internet on non-Samsung devices).