CVE-2026-20971 is a Use After Free (UAF) vulnerability classified under CWE-416 found in the PROCA driver component of Samsung Mobile devices. This vulnerability exists in devices running software versions prior to the Samsung Mobile January 2026 Security Maintenance Release (SMR). The flaw allows a local attacker with low privileges to exploit the UAF condition to execute arbitrary code within the context of the vulnerable driver. The vulnerability has a CVSS v4.0 base score of 7.3, indicating high severity. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring the attacker to have physical or logical access to the device, with high attack complexity (AC:H), and partial privileges (PR:L). No user interaction is required (UI:N), and the vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level (VC:H, VI:H, VA:H). The vulnerability does not require network access or user interaction, but the attacker must have some level of local access, such as through a compromised app or local user account. Exploitation could lead to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls, access sensitive data, or disrupt device functionality. Samsung has reserved the CVE and published the advisory but has not yet released a patch at the time of this report. There are no known exploits in the wild currently. The vulnerability is specific to Samsung Mobile devices, which have a significant market share in Europe, making this a relevant threat for European organizations and individuals relying on these devices for communication and business operations.

The impact of CVE-2026-20971 on European organizations can be significant due to the widespread use of Samsung Mobile devices across the continent. Successful exploitation could allow local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, interception of communications, or disruption of mobile device operations. This could affect employees using Samsung devices for remote work or accessing corporate resources, increasing the risk of data breaches and operational downtime. The vulnerability's high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that critical business processes relying on mobile communications could be compromised. Additionally, sectors with stringent data protection requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies in Europe, could face regulatory and reputational damage if exploited. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability details become widely known.

To mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2026-20971, European organizations and individual users should: 1) Apply the Samsung Mobile January 2026 Security Maintenance Release (SMR) as soon as it becomes available, as it will contain the necessary patches to fix the Use After Free vulnerability in the PROCA driver. 2) Restrict local access to Samsung Mobile devices by enforcing strong device access controls, including biometric or PIN authentication, to prevent unauthorized local users from exploiting the vulnerability. 3) Limit installation of untrusted or potentially malicious applications that could be used to gain local access or escalate privileges. 4) Monitor device logs and behavior for signs of local privilege escalation attempts or unusual activity indicative of exploitation attempts. 5) Educate users on the importance of device security hygiene, including avoiding rooting or jailbreaking devices, which can increase exposure to local vulnerabilities. 6) For organizations, consider implementing Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and facilitate timely patch deployment. 7) Coordinate with Samsung support channels to stay informed about patch releases and vulnerability updates. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on local access restrictions and proactive monitoring tailored to the nature of this vulnerability.