Local privilege escalation via undisclosed Settings flaw
Published Feb 4, 2026 · Updated Feb 4, 2026
Privilege management error in Samsung Mobile Devices Settings before SMR Feb-2026 Release 1 lets local users run activities with Settings privilege. Samsung has not disclosed the affected Settings code path or the operation that mishandles privilege; the bulletin states only that the patch removes an improper implementation. Exploitation requires local low-privileged access on Android 15 or 16, and successful exploitation launches arbitrary activities in the privileged Settings context.
Summary
What happened
Privilege management error in Samsung Mobile Devices Settings before SMR Feb-2026 Release 1 lets local users run activities with Settings privilege. Samsung has not disclosed the affected Settings code path or the operation that mishandles privilege; the bulletin states only that the patch removes an improper implementation. Exploitation requires local low-privileged access on Android 15 or 16, and successful exploitation launches arbitrary activities in the privileged Settings context.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-20979
- Published
- Feb 4, 2026
- Updated
- Feb 4, 2026
- Vendor
- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
- Product
- Samsung Mobile Devices
- Classifications
- CWE-269, T1404
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Feb 4, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Feb 4, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Affected versions are unavailable in this record. Check the vendor advisory for version and patch details.
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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