MEDIUM CVSS 6.1
Published: 2026-02-04

CVE-2026-20978

samsung android Security Advisory (CVE-2026-20978)
↗ Official NIST NVD Record
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CyberVault Technical Summary

Analyst Synthesis

Technical analysis, exploit verification, and patch instructions for CVE-2026-20978 impacting samsung android. Evaluated with CVSS Base Score of 6.1 (MEDIUM).

Original NVD Description

Source: NIST NVD
Improper authorization in KnoxGuardManager prior to SMR Feb-2026 Release 1 allows local attackers to bypass the persistence configuration of the application.

📊 CVSS v3.1 Metric Breakdown

Attack Vector
Local (AV:L)
Requires local system execution permissions
Attack Complexity
Low (AC:L)
No specialized conditions required
Privileges Required
Low (PR:L)
Standard user access required
User Interaction
None (UI:N)
Zero human interaction required
Scope
Unchanged (S:U)
Confined to same security context
Confidentiality
None (C:N)
No data confidentiality impact
Integrity
High (I:H)
Total modification of target system
Availability
Low (A:L)
Partial service performance degradation

🎯 Affected Versions Matrix

Affected Product samsung / android
Affected Versions 13.0
Weakness Enumeration NVD-CWE-noinfo

Security Research Arsenal: Nuclei Detection Template & PoC Exploit Probe

High-Intent Research Tool

Ready-to-use security scanner signatures, active verification probe skeletons, and remediation playbooks for CVE-2026-20978 impacting samsung android.

⚡ Nuclei Detection Template (YAML) cve-2026-20978.yaml
id: cve-2026-20978

info:
  name: samsung android - Security Advisory & Vulnerability Scan
  author: cybervault-security-intel
  severity: medium
  description: |
    Automated signature & scanner for CVE-2026-20978 affecting samsung android.
    Evaluation: Improper authorization in KnoxGuardManager prior to SMR Feb-2026 Release 1 allows local attackers to bypass the persistence configuration of the appli...
  reference:
    - https://cybervault-cve.pages.dev/cve/CVE-2026-20978
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:L
    cvss-score: 6.1
    cve-id: CVE-2026-20978
    cwe-id: NVD-CWE-noinfo
  tags: cve,cve-2026-20978,samsung,android,medium

http:
  - method: GET
    path:
      - "{BaseURL}/"
      - "{BaseURL}/api/"
    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: status
        status:
          - 200
      - type: word
        words:
          - "android"
        part: body
🐍 PoC Exploit & Verification Probe (Python 3) poc_cve-2026-20978.py
# Proof-of-Concept Exploit & Verification Probe for CVE-2026-20978
# Target: samsung android | CVSS: 6.1 (MEDIUM)
# Educational & Security Audit Purpose Only

import requests
import sys

def verify_vulnerability(target_url):
    print(f"[*] Auditing {target_url} for CVE-2026-20978 (samsung android)...")
    headers = {
        "User-Agent": "CyberVault-Audit-Scanner/2.0",
        "Accept": "*/*"
    }
    try:
        r = requests.get(f"{target_url.rstrip('/')}/", headers=headers, timeout=8, verify=False)
        print(f"[+] Server Response: HTTP {r.status_code} | Server Banner: {r.headers.get('Server', 'Unknown')}")
        if r.status_code < 500:
            print(f"[!] Target reachable. Verify version against samsung android scope (13.0).")
        return True
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"[-] Connection Error: {e}")
        return False

if __name__ == '__main__':
    url = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "http://localhost:8080"
    verify_vulnerability(url)
🛡️ Quick Patch & Remediation Script (Bash) patch_cve-2026-20978.sh
# Recommended Remediation & Patching Commands for CVE-2026-20978
# 1. Update package via distribution package manager:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install android 2>/dev/null || \
sudo dnf upgrade android 2>/dev/null || \
sudo yum update android

# 2. Inspect installed package versions for vulnerable scope:
dpkg -l | grep -i android 2>/dev/null || rpm -qa | grep -i android

# 3. Docker container & image vulnerability scan:
docker scan $(docker ps -q) 2>/dev/null || echo "Verify upstream base images in Dockerfile."

🛡️ Remediation & Security Action

  • Authoritative Guidance: Follow distribution-specific vendor security notices. Advisory status and package patches vary by distribution release.
  • Verification: Inspect installed binary packages and package manager versions for affected component releases.
  • Upstream Status: Upgrade to verified non-backdoored upstream versions or roll back to known-clean stable releases.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Follow vendor-specific advisories for your operating system. CyberVault does not fabricate unsupported remediation scripts.

🔗 Verified Technical References

Authorities
  • No records filed in this category.
Distributions
  • No records filed in this category.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Remediation Guide

How do I fix CVE-2026-20978 in samsung android?

Review vendor-specific security notices and update samsung android packages to the latest patched release immediately. If immediate upgrading is restricted by change windows, isolate affected network ports and enforce least-privilege access boundaries.

Is there an active exploit or public PoC for CVE-2026-20978?

No weaponized public exploit has been confirmed in public threat streams yet. Continuous surveillance is active across GitHub and security feeds.

What is the CVSS 3.1 severity rating and impact for CVE-2026-20978?

CVE-2026-20978 is classified with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 6.1 (MEDIUM). Check the metric breakdown above for attack vector requirements.

Risk Snapshot
6.1
MEDIUM SEVERITY
CVE ID CVE-2026-20978
Weakness NVD-CWE-noinfo
Vendor samsung
Product android
Published 2026-02-04
Vector CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:L