CVE-2026-20979: Samsung Mobile Devices · Impoper Privilege Management
Affects Samsung Mobile DevicesSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.4 High.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 3% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 4 Feb 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung MobileSamsung Mobile Devices | Affected– | Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
To mitigate CVE-2026-20979, organizations and users should promptly apply the Samsung SMR February 2026 Release 1 security update once it becomes available, as it contains the necessary patch for this privilege management flaw. Until the patch is deployed, it is critical to restrict physical and local access to Samsung Mobile devices, especially in high-risk environments. Implement strict device access controls such as strong lock screens, biometric authentication, and session timeouts to minimize opportunities for local attackers. Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies that limit app installations and local privilege escalations. Regularly audit device configurations and monitor for unusual activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, educate users about the risks of granting local access to untrusted parties and discourage the use of rooted or jailbroken devices, which may exacerbate exploitation potential. Finally, coordinate with Samsung support channels for any interim mitigation advice and verify device firmware versions to ensure compliance with security standards.
Description
Improper privilege management in Settings prior to SMR Feb-2026 Release 1 allows local attackers to launch arbitrary activity with Settings privilege.