CVE-2026-20982: Samsung Android Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2026-20982 Overview

CVE-2026-20982 is a path traversal vulnerability in Samsung's ShortcutService component that affects Samsung Android devices running versions 14.0, 15.0, and 16.0 prior to the SMR Feb-2026 Release 1 security update. This vulnerability allows a privileged local attacker to exploit improper input validation in file path handling to create arbitrary files with system-level privileges.

The vulnerability exists due to insufficient sanitization of user-controlled input when the ShortcutService processes file path parameters. By crafting malicious path sequences containing directory traversal characters (such as ../), an attacker with elevated local privileges can escape the intended directory boundaries and write files to arbitrary locations on the device filesystem with system privileges.

Critical Impact

A privileged local attacker can leverage this path traversal flaw to create files with system privileges, potentially enabling persistent access, system modification, or preparation for further exploitation chains on affected Samsung Android devices.

Affected Products

• Samsung Android 14.0 (all SMR releases prior to Feb-2026 Release 1)
• Samsung Android 15.0 (all SMR releases prior to Feb-2026 Release 1)
• Samsung Android 16.0 (all SMR releases prior to Feb-2026 Release 1)

Discovery Timeline

• February 4, 2026 - CVE-2026-20982 published to NVD
• February 5, 2026 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-20982

Vulnerability Analysis

This path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) resides in Samsung's proprietary ShortcutService, a system-level Android service responsible for managing shortcuts and related file operations. The flaw stems from improper validation of file path inputs, allowing directory traversal sequences to bypass intended path restrictions.

The ShortcutService component operates with elevated system privileges on Samsung Android devices. When processing requests that involve file path parameters, the service fails to adequately sanitize input for path traversal sequences. This oversight enables an attacker who already has privileged local access to manipulate the file path parameter and direct file creation operations outside the service's designated directory structure.

The impact is significant because files created through this exploitation inherit system-level permissions, potentially allowing the attacker to plant malicious configuration files, overwrite system resources, or establish persistence mechanisms that survive device reboots.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2026-20982 is improper input validation within the ShortcutService's file handling routines. Specifically, the service does not properly canonicalize or validate file paths before using them in file creation operations. This allows directory traversal sequences like ../ to be processed literally, enabling path escape.

The vulnerable code path accepts user-supplied or application-supplied path parameters without:

• Normalizing the path to resolve relative components
• Validating that the resolved path remains within the expected directory boundary
• Rejecting path inputs containing traversal sequences

Attack Vector

The attack requires local access to the device with elevated privileges. An attacker must be able to interact with the ShortcutService either directly through Android's inter-process communication mechanisms or through an intermediary application that can communicate with the service.

The exploitation flow involves:

1. The attacker identifies or gains privileged local access to the target Samsung Android device
2. The attacker crafts a malicious request to the ShortcutService containing a file path with directory traversal sequences
3. The service processes the request without proper path validation
4. A file is created at the attacker-specified location with system privileges

Since no public proof-of-concept code is available for this vulnerability, the specific exploitation technique involves manipulating the file path parameter in ShortcutService requests. The attacker would inject traversal sequences to navigate from the expected directory to a target location, such as system configuration directories or application data folders. For detailed technical information, refer to the Samsung Mobile Security Update.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-20982

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected files appearing in system directories such as /system/, /data/system/, or other privileged locations
• Files created by the ShortcutService process in directories outside its normal operational scope
• Anomalous file creation timestamps corresponding to suspicious user activity or application behavior
• Log entries indicating ShortcutService operations with unusual path parameters

Detection Strategies

• Monitor file system activity for file creation events originating from the ShortcutService process, particularly in directories outside its expected operational paths
• Implement audit logging for system service IPC calls to track requests to ShortcutService with file path parameters
• Deploy endpoint detection rules to identify directory traversal patterns (../, ..\) in inter-process communication involving system services
• Utilize mobile device management (MDM) solutions to verify SMR patch levels across the device fleet

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure Samsung Knox or enterprise MDM solutions to alert on devices running SMR versions prior to Feb-2026 Release 1
• Implement file integrity monitoring on critical system directories to detect unauthorized file creation
• Review device logs periodically for ShortcutService-related anomalies or errors that may indicate exploitation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-20982

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the Samsung SMR Feb-2026 Release 1 security update to all affected Samsung Android devices immediately
• Audit devices in your environment to identify those running vulnerable SMR versions (any version prior to Feb-2026 Release 1 on Android 14.0, 15.0, or 16.0)
• Restrict physical access to devices and ensure only authorized users have privileged local access
• Monitor for any indicators of compromise on devices that cannot be immediately patched

Patch Information

Samsung has addressed this vulnerability in the SMR Feb-2026 Release 1 security maintenance release. The patch implements proper path validation and canonicalization in the ShortcutService to prevent directory traversal attacks. Device owners and administrators should apply the February 2026 security update through:

• Settings > Software update > Download and install on the device
• Enterprise MDM push deployment for managed devices
• Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment for bulk deployments

For complete patch details and affected device models, refer to the Samsung Mobile Security Update.

Workarounds

• There are no official workarounds provided by Samsung for this vulnerability; applying the security patch is the recommended remediation
• Limit privileged local access to Samsung devices to reduce the attack surface
• Implement strict application installation policies to prevent potentially malicious applications from gaining elevated privileges
• Consider temporarily restricting or disabling shortcut-related features through enterprise MDM policies until patching is complete

# Check current SMR patch level on Samsung Android device
# Navigate to: Settings > About phone > Software information
# Verify "Security patch level" shows February 2026 or later

# For enterprise environments using Knox
# Query device patch status via Knox API or console
# Flag devices with security patch level before 2026-02-01