CVE-2021-25397Public exploit

Arbitrary file overwrite via exported PhotoringReceiver

Published Jun 11, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Improper access control in Samsung Mobile Devices P (9.0) through R (11.0) allows local users to overwrite files via an untrusted app. The exported PhotoringReceiver accepts attacker-controlled photoring_uri and down_file intent values, then saves remote image or video content to the supplied filesystem path without a caller permission check. Any installed app can send the broadcast; demonstrated exploitation replaces the SMS/MMS database with attacker-controlled content under telephony UID 1001.

CVSS severity6.8
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 access control in Samsung Mobile Devices P (9.0) through R (11.0) allows local users to overwrite files via an untrusted app. The exported PhotoringReceiver accepts attacker-controlled photoring_uri and down_file intent values, then saves remote image or video content to the supplied filesystem path without a caller permission check. Any installed app can send the broadcast; demonstrated exploitation replaces the SMS/MMS database with attacker-controlled content under telephony UID 1001.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-25397
Published
Jun 11, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Product
Samsung Mobile Devices
Classifications
CWE-926, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

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=P(9.0), Q(10.0), R(11.0) <SMR MAY-2021 Release 1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. · Samsung Mobile Devicesversion=P(9.0), Q(10.0), R(11.0) <SMR MAY-2021 Release 1

Published CVSS scores

6.8Samsung MobileCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:L
2.1NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N
5.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

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
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-926Improper Export of Android Application Components
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

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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