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Smart Switch EUVDEUVD-2026-12313

| CVE-2026-20998 HIGH
2026-03-16 SamsungMobile
7.1
CVSS 4.0 · NVD
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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Access Smart Switch interface
  2. Exploit
    Exploit authentication bypass vulnerability
  3. Impact
    Gain unauthorized administrative access

Vulnerability Assessment

Exploitation Conditions

Smart Switch versions prior to 3.7.69.15. User interaction required (UI:P). Remote network access to Switch management interface on default or exposed ports.

Impact

Despite the high CVSS 4.0 score of 7.1, several factors suggest moderate real-world risk. The attack requires user interaction (UI:P) which significantly reduces automation potential and mass exploitation likelihood. The CVSS vector shows high confidentiality impact (VC:H) but no integrity or availability impacts, suggesting data exposure rather than system compromise. Without EPSS data, KEV listing, or known POCs, there's no evidence of active exploitation. The low attack complexity (AC:L) and no privilege requirement (PR:N) are concerning, but the user interaction requirement serves as a natural exploit barrier. This appears to be a high-CVSS-but-moderate-real-risk vulnerability that should be patched but likely isn't an emergency.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker could craft a malicious request or setup a rogue service that bypasses Smart Switch's authentication mechanisms when a user attempts to connect or transfer data. Since user interaction is required, the attacker would likely need to employ social engineering tactics to trick users into connecting to a malicious endpoint or clicking through deceptive prompts. Once authentication is bypassed, the attacker could potentially access confidential data being transferred through Smart Switch, though the exact data exposure would depend on what the user is actively transferring at the time.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
No patch listed yet 0.3% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 16, 2026

Samsung Smart Switch versions prior to 3.7.69.15 contain an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to circumvent security controls. This vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to the application without valid credentials. No patch is currently available for this high-severity issue.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
v1 Mar 16, 2026 - 05:00 CVSS 7.1

An improper authentication vulnerability in Samsung Smart Switch allows remote attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to the application. The vulnerability affects Smart Switch versions prior to 3.7.69.15 and requires user interaction to exploit. While not currently listed in CISA KEV or showing high EPSS scores, the high CVSS score of 7.1 reflects the potential for significant confidentiality impact if successfully exploited.

RemediationAI

Update Samsung Smart Switch to version 3.7.69.15 or later immediately to address this authentication bypass vulnerability. The patch is available through Samsung's official Smart Switch download page or through automatic updates within the application. Until patching is complete, users should avoid using Smart Switch on untrusted networks and be cautious of any unexpected authentication prompts or behaviors when using the application. Given the user interaction requirement for exploitation, maintaining awareness during Smart Switch sessions provides an additional layer of protection.

Affected VersionsENISA

Smart Switch patch: 3.7.69.15

Affects your stack

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Technical ContextAI · show details

Smart Switch is Samsung's data transfer and backup software used to migrate content between mobile devices and computers. The vulnerability stems from improper authentication implementation, though no specific CWE classification was provided. Without a CWE mapping, the exact authentication bypass mechanism remains unclear, but common patterns include missing authentication checks, weak session management, or flawed credential validation. The network-based attack vector (AV:N) indicates the vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring local access to the affected system.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 7.1 HIGH
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Attack Requirements
None
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
Passive
Vulnerable system: Confidentiality
High
Vulnerable system: Integrity
None
Vulnerable system: Availability
None
Subsequent system: Confidentiality
None
Subsequent system: Integrity
None
Subsequent system: Availability
None

DescriptionCVE.org

Improper authentication in Smart Switch prior to version 3.7.69.15 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

Samsung Smart Switch contains an authentication bypass vulnerability (CVE-2026-20998) that could allow attackers to access sensitive device and user data without proper credentials. Organizations using Smart Switch for mobile device management should assess their exposure immediately, as the vulnerability requires user interaction but poses significant confidentiality risks until patching is available.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Implement network segmentation to restrict Smart Switch traffic to trusted internal networks only; disable remote access functionality if not operationally required; enforce multi-factor authentication at network access points; monitor Smart Switch application logs for suspicious authentication attempts; consider restricting Smart Switch usage to administrative terminals with enhanced monitoring; educate users to avoid clicking suspicious links or opening untrusted files that could trigger the vulnerability exploitation.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.3%
Top 50% exploitable
Data Quality
4 sources
Confidence: Medium

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.3%
Patch available No
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Scheduled
Exploitation· derived
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact
High

Priority Score

36
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +36
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.

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