CVE-2025-20945 in Galaxy Watch
Summary
by MITRE • 04/08/2025
Improper access control in Galaxy Watch prior to SMR Apr-2025 Release 1 allows local attackers to access sensitive information of Galaxy watch.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-20945 represents a critical access control flaw affecting Samsung Galaxy Watch devices prior to the April 2025 Security Maintenance Release. This issue stems from inadequate authorization mechanisms within the wearable device's operating system, creating a pathway for local attackers to exploit system resources and extract sensitive data. The vulnerability specifically impacts the device's internal security architecture, where proper privilege separation and data isolation controls have been compromised. Attackers leveraging this weakness can potentially access confidential information stored within the device's memory, including user data, application credentials, and personal health information. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in the device's security model, where local execution contexts can bypass established security boundaries. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, specifically addressing improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to access restricted resources. The issue represents a significant concern for wearable device security, as these devices typically handle highly sensitive personal information including biometric data, location tracking, and health monitoring details.
The technical implementation of this access control failure appears to stem from insufficient validation of user privileges and inadequate enforcement of security policies within the Galaxy Watch's operating system framework. Local attackers can exploit this vulnerability through legitimate application execution contexts, potentially leveraging existing system permissions to escalate access privileges and retrieve sensitive information. The attack vector likely involves manipulating system calls or exploiting specific API endpoints that should normally be restricted to authorized processes. This flaw suggests that the device's security module fails to properly validate the identity and permissions of processes attempting to access protected resources, allowing malicious code execution within the device's trusted environment. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could potentially enable further exploitation paths for more sophisticated attacks. According to ATT&CK framework analysis, this weakness maps to T1078 valid accounts and T1566 credential access techniques, where compromised local access can lead to broader system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-20945 poses significant risks to user privacy and data security across affected Galaxy Watch models. Users may experience unauthorized access to their personal health data, communication logs, and application-specific information that could be exploited for identity theft or targeted attacks. The vulnerability's local nature means that attackers do not require network connectivity or external exploitation methods, making it particularly concerning for devices that are frequently used in personal and professional environments. Organizations relying on wearable technology for employee monitoring or health tracking programs face increased risk of data breaches and compliance violations. The affected devices represent a substantial attack surface within enterprise environments, where wearable devices often serve as entry points for broader network infiltration attempts. Security professionals must consider the implications of this vulnerability when assessing risk in connected device ecosystems and implementing appropriate monitoring controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-20945 should prioritize immediate deployment of the Samsung Security Maintenance Release for April 2025, which includes patches addressing the improper access control mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies that enforce automatic security updates and monitor for unauthorized access attempts. Network segmentation and endpoint detection systems should be enhanced to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting wearable devices. Device administrators should conduct thorough risk assessments of all connected wearable systems and implement additional monitoring for suspicious activity patterns. Security teams should consider implementing device integrity checks and regular vulnerability scanning protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts. The recommended approach includes both immediate remediation through official firmware updates and longer-term security enhancement strategies that address underlying architectural weaknesses in the device's access control implementation. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically tailored for wearable device security incidents to ensure rapid detection and mitigation of exploitation attempts.