CVE-2025-20946
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows local attackers to pair with specific Bluetooth devices on Galaxy Watches without user interaction. It affects Galaxy Watch devices running software versions prior to the April 2025 security maintenance release. Attackers must be within Bluetooth range to exploit this flaw.
💻 Affected Systems
- Samsung Galaxy Watch
📦 What is this software?
Wear Os by Samsung
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker could pair malicious Bluetooth devices to the watch, potentially enabling data interception, unauthorized access to watch functions, or installation of malicious payloads.
Likely Case
Unauthorized Bluetooth pairing allowing data eavesdropping or limited device control, though specific vulnerable device combinations may be required.
If Mitigated
With proper Bluetooth security controls and user awareness, impact is limited to denial of service through unwanted pairing attempts.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires physical proximity and specific Bluetooth device types. No authentication needed once in range.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: SMR Apr-2025 Release 1 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://security.samsungmobile.com/securityUpdate.smsb?year=2025&month=04
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Open Galaxy Wearable app on paired phone. 2. Go to Watch settings > Watch software update. 3. Download and install April 2025 security update. 4. Restart watch after installation completes.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Bluetooth when not in use
allTurn off Bluetooth to prevent any pairing attempts
Settings > Connections > Bluetooth > Toggle off
Enable pairing confirmation
allEnsure pairing requires user confirmation (though this may be bypassed by the vulnerability)
Settings > Connections > Bluetooth > More options > Pair new device
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Keep Bluetooth disabled except when actively pairing trusted devices
- Avoid using watch in public/untrusted environments where attackers might be present
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check watch software version: Settings > About watch > Software information > Software version. If version is earlier than SMR Apr-2025 Release 1, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
Settings > About watch > Software information > Software versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify software version shows SMR Apr-2025 Release 1 or later. Test Bluetooth pairing with known devices to ensure user confirmation is required.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected Bluetooth pairing events
- Multiple failed pairing attempts from unknown devices
Network Indicators:
- Unusual Bluetooth MAC addresses attempting connections
- Bluetooth pairing requests without user interaction
SIEM Query:
bluetooth AND (pairing OR connection) AND (unauthorized OR unexpected) AND device_type:"Galaxy Watch"