Use-After-Free in Samsung KNOX PROCA/FIVE
CVE-2026-20971 is a local kernel vulnerability in Samsung’s KNOX framework, specifically affecting the PROCA driver and its interaction with the FIVE integrity subsystem prior to SMR Jan-2026 Release 1. The flaw is a race-condition-driven use-after-free involving the task_integrity object used to track process integrity state. During process state transitions such as execve() (and reportedly fork-related paths), one kernel path can free an existing task_integrity object while another path continues to dereference the stale pointer, creating a dangling reference in kernel memory. Reported vulnerable paths include procfs-backed integrity read handlers such as proc_integrity_value_read() and proc_integrity_label_read(). Researchers reported that an unprivileged application could trigger the race and reclaim the freed memory with controlled data, including via a technique involving loading a non-executable/non-ELF file, resulting in practical kernel memory corruption despite Samsung kernel control-flow integrity mitigations. Samsung patched the issue in its January 2026 security update.
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Recent activity
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Use-after-free vulnerability in Samsung KNOX components PROCA and FIVE that allowed a local unprivileged application to corrupt kernel memory and potentially escalate privileges on affected Samsung Galaxy devices.
A critical use-after-free kernel vulnerability in Samsung KNOX PROCA/FIVE subsystems caused by a race condition in process integrity validation, potentially enabling kernel memory corruption and full device takeover from an untrusted application.
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Samsung Android kernel affecting Galaxy S9 through S25 devices.
A use-after-free race condition in Samsung KNOX kernel components PROCA/FIVE that can be triggered from an untrusted app, leading to kernel memory corruption and potentially complete device takeover.
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Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.
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