CVE-2025-20893 is a vulnerability classified as medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.1. This vulnerability allows local attackers to change the configuration of notifications due to improper access control in NotificationManager prior to SMR Jan-2025 Release 1. The ability to modify notification settings poses a risk to user privacy and system integrity.
The risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to notification settings, which can lead to further exploitation or user deception. Although the attack vector is local and requires low complexity, the lack of required privileges and user interaction makes it easier for an attacker with local access to exploit this vulnerability.
As this vulnerability has been analyzed and assigned a CVSS score of 5.1, organizations should address it in their priority patch cycle. The urgency is moderate, given the potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems.
Currently, there are no public exploits confirmed for this vulnerability, and it is not included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, organizations should remain vigilant and monitor for any developments regarding this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability described as improper access control in NotificationManager impacts various versions of Samsung Android prior to the SMR Jan-2025 Release 1. The CVSS vector is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L, indicating that the attack requires local access with low complexity and no privileges.
The integrity impact is rated as low, suggesting that an attacker may alter notification settings, but this does not significantly compromise the overall integrity of the device. The availability impact is also low, meaning that while the attack can affect some notification functionalities, it does not lead to a system-wide outage.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2025-20893 stems from improper access control mechanisms within the NotificationManager. This flaw allows local attackers to gain unauthorized control over notification settings without requiring elevated privileges or user interaction.
Given that the attack vector is local, the exposure is limited to users with physical access to the device. The attack complexity is low, meaning that even individuals with minimal technical skills could exploit this vulnerability if they have access to the device.
The confidentiality impact is assessed as none since the vulnerability does not expose sensitive data. However, the integrity and availability impacts are both rated as low, indicating minimal disruption to the system's core functionalities.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations should consider the implications of CVE-2025-20893 in their risk assessments. The potential for local attackers to alter notification settings could lead to privacy violations or manipulation of user experience. The blast radius of this vulnerability is primarily limited to devices with access to the affected NotificationManager.
Given the moderate CVSS score and the lack of public exploits, organizations should schedule remediation efforts accordingly. Although the urgency is moderate, organizations should not overlook this vulnerability, as the risks associated with it can escalate if left unaddressed.
With the EPSS score indicating a low probability of exploitation, organizations should still prioritize patching as part of their regular security maintenance to ensure continued protection against potential local attacks.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of Samsung Android prior to the SMR Jan-2025 Release 1 are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations should ensure that their devices are updated to the latest security release to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate CVE-2025-20893, organizations should apply the latest patches provided by Samsung. It is essential to ensure that devices are updated to the SMR Jan-2025 Release 1 or later. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing configuration hardening measures to enhance security.
In cases where immediate patching is not possible, organizations may consider exploring alternative security measures such as restricting physical access to devices and conducting regular security assessments to identify potential weaknesses.
For ongoing security validation, organizations should engage in continuous security testing to monitor for any vulnerabilities and ensure the effectiveness of their security controls.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unauthorized access attempts or changes to notification settings. Behavioral anomalies in user interactions with notifications can also be a sign of potential exploitation.
Implementing network signatures that can detect unusual notification behaviors or configuration changes will aid in identifying potential exploit attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-20893 highlights the importance of robust access control mechanisms in mobile operating systems. As mobile devices become increasingly integral to personal and organizational operations, the potential impact of local vulnerabilities cannot be underestimated.
This incident underscores a pattern of vulnerabilities related to improper access controls and reinforces the need for ongoing security assessments in mobile application development. Security teams should prioritize the implementation of best practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
A strategic takeaway for organizations is to invest in mobile app penetration testing to identify potential vulnerabilities in their applications proactively.
Additionally, organizations can benefit from understanding the trends in vulnerability exposure to enhance their security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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