CVE-2024-20865Public exploit

Arbitrary image flashing via missing partition authentication

Published May 7, 2024 · Updated Aug 1, 2024

Bootloader authentication bypass in Samsung Mobile Devices before SMR May-2024 Release 1 allows physical attackers to flash arbitrary images. Odin's check_secure_download treats PIT-listed partitions absent from LookupAuthInfo as requiring no authentication, so nand_write accepts their images for flash storage. Exploitation requires physical USB access and Download Mode; modified GPT entries redirect subsequent writes and undermine verified boot.

CVSS severity6.6
Medium
EPSS probability0.32%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Bootloader authentication bypass in Samsung Mobile Devices before SMR May-2024 Release 1 allows physical attackers to flash arbitrary images. Odin's check_secure_download treats PIT-listed partitions absent from LookupAuthInfo as requiring no authentication, so nand_write accepts their images for flash storage. Exploitation requires physical USB access and Download Mode; modified GPT entries redirect subsequent writes and undermine verified boot.

The record

CVE
CVE-2024-20865
Published
May 7, 2024
Updated
Aug 1, 2024
Vendor
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Product
Samsung Mobile Devices
Classifications
CWE-287, T1601.001
Attack vector
physical
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 7, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 1, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <SMR May-2024

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorphysical
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. · Samsung Mobile Devicesversion=0 <SMR May-2024

Published CVSS scores

6.6Samsung MobileCVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorphysical
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-287Improper Authentication
T1601.001Patch System Image

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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