CVE-2025-20976
📋 TL;DR
An out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Samsung Notes allows attackers to read memory beyond intended boundaries when processing binary text content. This affects Samsung Notes users on Android devices with versions prior to 4.4.29.23. The vulnerability could potentially leak sensitive information from device memory.
💻 Affected Systems
- Samsung Notes
📦 What is this software?
Notes by Samsung
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could read sensitive data from device memory, potentially including authentication tokens, passwords, or other application data stored in adjacent memory regions.
Likely Case
Limited information disclosure from adjacent memory buffers, potentially revealing fragments of other application data or system information.
If Mitigated
No impact if patched version is installed or if the vulnerable functionality is not used.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires user interaction to open malicious content. No public exploit code identified at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 4.4.29.23 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://security.samsungmobile.com/serviceWeb.smsb?year=2025&month=05
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Open Google Play Store on Android device. 2. Search for 'Samsung Notes'. 3. If update is available, tap 'Update'. 4. Alternatively, enable auto-updates in Play Store settings.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Samsung Notes
androidTemporarily disable or uninstall Samsung Notes until patched
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.samsung.android.app.notes
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.samsung.android.app.notes
Restrict App Usage
allAvoid opening untrusted files or content in Samsung Notes
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Use alternative note-taking applications temporarily
- Implement mobile device management policies to restrict app usage
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Samsung Notes version in Android Settings > Apps > Samsung Notes > App infoCheck Version:
adb shell dumpsys package com.samsung.android.app.notes | grep versionNameVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Samsung Notes version is 4.4.29.23 or higher📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes in Samsung Notes
- Memory access violation logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound data transfers following app usage
SIEM Query:
source="android_logs" app="Samsung Notes" (event="crash" OR event="exception")