CVE-2025-20955 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE • 05/07/2025
Improper Export of Android Application Components in NotificationHistoryImageProvider prior to SMR May-2025 Release 1 allows local attackers to access notification images.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-20955 represents a critical security flaw in Android application component export mechanisms within the NotificationHistoryImageProvider component. This issue affects devices running Android versions prior to the SMR May-2025 Release 1 security patch, creating a significant attack surface for local adversaries who can exploit improper component exposure to gain unauthorized access to sensitive notification imagery. The vulnerability stems from inadequate permission controls and component export configurations that allow malicious applications or processes running with local privileges to directly access notification images that should remain protected within the system's security boundaries. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor secure coding practices in Android application development, where sensitive user data remains exposed through improperly configured components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the NotificationHistoryImageProvider component failing to properly validate access requests for notification images stored within the Android system. When applications attempt to access notification history images through this provider, the system does not adequately verify whether the requesting component has proper authorization to access such sensitive data. This misconfiguration creates a path for local attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve notification images that may contain confidential information, personal data, or sensitive business communications. The flaw operates at the application component level within Android's security model, where exported components should only be accessible to authorized applications but instead remain open to any local process capable of making the appropriate system calls. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges and access control issues, and represents a clear violation of Android's security architecture principles.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-20955 extends beyond simple data exposure, as notification images may contain sensitive information including personal communications, financial data, health records, or proprietary business information that could be leveraged for identity theft, social engineering attacks, or corporate espionage. Local attackers with malicious intent can exploit this vulnerability to gather intelligence about users' activities, communications, and potentially sensitive business operations. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only local system access, meaning that adversaries who have already compromised a device through other means can escalate their privileges to access notification data without additional authentication requirements. This vulnerability also contributes to the broader threat landscape by potentially enabling attackers to build comprehensive profiles of user behavior and activities, which can be used for more sophisticated attacks. The implications align with ATT&CK technique T1056.001, which covers credential access through various means, and T1566, which addresses social engineering attacks that can be enhanced by access to sensitive notification data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-20955 should prioritize immediate deployment of the SMR May-2025 Release 1 security patches that address the underlying component export issues. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to notification components and reviewing application permission models to ensure proper access control enforcement. System administrators should conduct thorough security assessments of applications that rely on notification history components and verify that proper access controls are in place. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper Android security configuration management and the need for comprehensive security testing of application components, particularly those that handle sensitive user data. Additionally, developers should adopt secure coding practices that enforce strict access controls for exported components and implement proper input validation to prevent unauthorized access to system resources. Organizations should also consider implementing mobile device management solutions that can monitor and control application behavior to prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities.