CVE-2021-25337 Samsung Mobile Devices: privilege escalation
In plain words: Something running with limited rights can promote itself to full control. Turns a small foothold (like a malicious app) into administrator or system-level access.
Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline Nov 29, 2022
What to do
- Install Samsung's security update for Mobile Devices. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
- Install system updates the day they come out — most phone zero-days are fixed in a point release.
- Restart your phone every few days; some spyware does not survive a reboot.
- If you are a journalist, activist, lawyer, politician or executive, turn on Lockdown Mode (iPhone) or Advanced Protection (Android).
Who is affected
Could reach you. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.
What's at risk: Messages, photos, location, microphone and camera. The most serious ones are "zero-click": no tap needed from the owner. They are usually used as spyware against a small number of chosen people.
The details
- Official name
- Samsung Mobile Devices Improper Access Control Vulnerability
- Product
- Samsung Mobile Devices
- CISA description
- Samsung mobile devices contain an improper access control vulnerability in clipboard service which allows untrusted applications to read or write arbitrary files. This vulnerability was chained with CVE-2021-25369 and CVE-2021-25370.
- Type of flaw
- Privilege escalation (CWE-269)
- Confirmed exploited
- Nov 8, 2022
- US federal patch deadline
- Nov 29, 2022
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Answering about CVE-2021-25337 ·
Questions about CVE-2021-25337
Is CVE-2021-25337 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2021-25337 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Nov 8, 2022, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.
How do I fix CVE-2021-25337?
Install Samsung's security update for Mobile Devices. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Install system updates the day they come out — most phone zero-days are fixed in a point release.
Am I affected by CVE-2021-25337?
Only if you use Samsung Mobile Devices. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.