CVE-2025-20938
📋 TL;DR
An improper access control vulnerability in SamsungContacts allows local attackers to bypass protection mechanisms and access sensitive contact data. This affects Samsung devices running SamsungContacts versions prior to the April 2025 security update.
💻 Affected Systems
- SamsungContacts
📦 What is this software?
Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local attackers could access all protected contact data including private numbers, addresses, and notes, potentially leading to privacy violations, identity theft, or targeted attacks.
Likely Case
Malicious apps or users with physical access could read protected contact information they shouldn't have access to, compromising user privacy.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls, only authorized users and apps can access protected contact data as intended.
🎯 Exploit Status
Local access required. Likely involves bypassing app permission checks or exploiting inter-process communication.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: SMR Apr-2025 Release 1
Vendor Advisory: https://security.samsungmobile.com/securityUpdate.smsb?year=2025&month=04
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Go to Settings > Software update > Download and install. 2. Install the April 2025 security update. 3. Restart device when prompted.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable SamsungContacts
androidTemporarily disable the SamsungContacts app to prevent exploitation
Settings > Apps > SamsungContacts > Disable
Use alternative contacts app
androidSwitch to Google Contacts or another contacts app while waiting for patch
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict physical access to devices and implement strong app permission controls
- Monitor for suspicious app behavior and unauthorized contact data access attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if device has April 2025 security patch: Settings > About phone > Software information > Android security patch levelCheck Version:
Settings > About phone > Software informationVerify Fix Applied:
Verify patch level shows 'April 5, 2025' or later📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to contact database
- SamsungContacts permission violations
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Not applicable - local device vulnerability