CVE-2021-25396

Local arbitrary code execution via NPU input validation

Published Jun 11, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Improper input validation in Samsung Mobile Devices before SMR MAY-2021 Release 1 allows local users to write memory and execute code. The NPU firmware incorrectly validates input before using it for memory operations; Samsung has not disclosed the affected command, field, or function. Exploitation requires high local privileges and an Android 10 or 11 device with an Exynos 9820, 9830, 980, or 2100 chipset, and successful exploitation compromises the device.

CVSS severity6.7
Medium
EPSS probability0.13%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in Samsung Mobile Devices before SMR MAY-2021 Release 1 allows local users to write memory and execute code. The NPU firmware incorrectly validates input before using it for memory operations; Samsung has not disclosed the affected command, field, or function. Exploitation requires high local privileges and an Android 10 or 11 device with an Exynos 9820, 9830, 980, or 2100 chipset, and successful exploitation compromises the device.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-25396
Published
Jun 11, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Product
Samsung Mobile Devices
Classifications
CWE-20, CWE-787
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 11, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=Q(10.0), R(11.0) <SMR MAY-2021 Release 1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. · Samsung Mobile Devicesversion=Q(10.0), R(11.0) <SMR MAY-2021 Release 1

Published CVSS scores

6.7Samsung MobileCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.6NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
6.7NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation
CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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