Actively exploited vulnerability

Samsung Mobile Devices: improper access control flaw under attack

CVE-2021-25489 · Samsung Mobile Devices Improper Input Validation Vulnerability

Concerns everyone who uses it5.5 medium

What is affected

Samsung Mobile Devices are found on ordinary personal computers and phones, so this is not only a problem for companies. If you use them and have not updated since the fix was released, you are exposed.

Samsung mobile devices contain an improper input validation vulnerability within the modem interface driver that results in a format string bug leading to kernel panic.

CISA's description

What an attacker can do

This is a improper access control flaw. It lets an attacker perform actions or reach data that should be restricted to authorised users.

How it is reached
Needs access to the device or a file opened on it
Access the attacker needs
A basic user account
Does the victim have to do something?
No, works without the victim doing anything

What to do

  1. Update Samsung Mobile Devices now. Open the update or "About" screen, install whatever is offered and restart the app or device, because the fix is not active until you do.
  2. Turn on automatic updates so the next fix arrives without you having to look for it.
  3. If your device is too old to receive this update, stop using the affected app for anything sensitive and plan a replacement.

Apply updates per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if updates are unavailable

Action required by CISA for US federal agencies

Vendor advisories and fixes

How urgent is it

CISA added this vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on June 29, 2023, which means there is reliable evidence of attacks in the wild. US federal agencies must fix it by July 20, 2023, a deadline that has already passed. That deadline does not bind anyone else, but it shows how seriously the agency rates it.

The EPSS model estimates a 0.5% probability that this flaw will be exploited somewhere in the next 30 days. That is higher than 43% of all scored vulnerabilities.

Its CVSS severity score is 5.5 out of 10 (medium), as recorded in the US National Vulnerability Database.

Technical description

Assuming radio permission is gained, missing input validation in modem interface driver prior to SMR Oct-2021 Release 1 results in format string bug leading to kernel panic.

NIST National Vulnerability Database
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