CVE-2025-20932 in Notes
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2025
Out-of-bounds read in parsing rle of bmp image in Samsung Notes prior to version 4.4.26.71 allows local attackers to혻read out-of-bounds memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2025-20932 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw discovered in Samsung Notes application prior to version 4.4.26.71. This issue specifically affects the parsing of run-length encoded rle format within bitmap image files, creating a security risk that can be exploited by local attackers. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking during the processing of image data, particularly when handling rle compression formats commonly used in bmp image files. The flaw allows an attacker with local system access to read memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data or system information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the image parsing subsystem of Samsung Notes where the application processes bitmap images containing run-length encoded data. When the application encounters a malformed or specially crafted bmp file with rle compression, it fails to properly validate the boundaries of the encoded data stream. This lack of proper bounds checking enables the memory access violation to occur during the decompression process, where the parser attempts to read data beyond the allocated memory buffer. The issue manifests as an out-of-bounds read operation that can be triggered through local file manipulation, making it particularly concerning for applications that process untrusted image content.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks for Samsung Notes users and organizations relying on the application for document management and note-taking. Local attackers can exploit this flaw to potentially access sensitive information stored in memory, including user credentials, document content, or system data that may be resident in the application's memory space. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as this type of vulnerability can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks or may enable privilege escalation depending on the application's execution context and memory layout. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to 4.4.26.71, indicating that a substantial user base may be exposed to this risk.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2025-20932 primarily involves updating Samsung Notes to version 4.4.26.71 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and input validation for rle bitmap image parsing. System administrators should prioritize this update across all affected devices, particularly in enterprise environments where Samsung Notes is widely deployed. Additionally, organizations should implement runtime monitoring to detect anomalous memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the types of image files that can be processed by Samsung Notes, thereby reducing the attack surface. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of length of input buffers, and may map to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage in exploitation contexts. Regular security assessments of image processing libraries and components should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications that may be susceptible to the same class of issues.