CVE-2025-20983 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE • 07/08/2025
Out-of-bounds write in checking auth secret in KnoxVault trustlet prior to SMR Jul-2025 Release 1 allows local privileged attackers to write out-of-bounds memory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2025
This vulnerability exists within the KnoxVault trustlet component of Samsung's Android-based devices, specifically affecting systems prior to the SMR July 2025 security release. The issue manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition that occurs during the authentication secret validation process, representing a critical flaw in the device's security architecture. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the trustlet's authentication mechanism, where the system fails to properly bounds-check memory operations when processing authentication secrets. This allows a locally privileged attacker with elevated system-level access to manipulate memory beyond the allocated boundaries, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The flaw specifically impacts the secure element's authentication workflow where cryptographic secrets are verified and processed, creating a pathway for malicious code injection into protected memory regions. The vulnerability is classified as a memory corruption issue that aligns with common weakness enumerations such as CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write and CWE-129 Improper Validation of Array Index. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to escalate privileges and potentially compromise the secure enclave functionality that KnoxVault is designed to protect. The attack vector requires local privileged access, meaning the adversary must already possess elevated system permissions or have exploited another vulnerability to reach the point of leveraging this memory corruption flaw. This represents a significant concern for enterprise security environments where KnoxVault is used to protect sensitive corporate data and maintain device integrity. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple memory corruption as it could enable attackers to bypass security controls that rely on the trustlet's integrity, potentially leading to complete device compromise and unauthorized access to protected cryptographic keys. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the SMR July 2025 security patches and monitoring for anomalous system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques where adversaries leverage system-level weaknesses to gain elevated access. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in security-critical components and highlights the risks associated with insufficient bounds checking in cryptographic implementations. This flaw serves as a reminder of the critical nature of secure element validation and the potential consequences when memory safety mechanisms fail in trusted execution environments. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to persistent backdoor access and compromise of the device's entire security ecosystem, making it a high-priority issue for security teams to address through both patch management and runtime monitoring solutions.