CVE-2021-25457

Kernel-memory disclosure via improper DSP input validation

Published Sep 9, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Improper input validation in the DSP driver in Samsung Mobile Devices before SMR Sep-2021 Release 1 allows local users to read limited kernel memory. The driver fails to validate an undisclosed input before processing it, exposing a limited portion of kernel memory. Exploitation requires local execution on an Android 10 or 11 device using an Exynos 980, 9830, or 2100 chipset; no broader disclosure is reported.

CVSS severity3.3
Low
EPSS probability0.10%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in the DSP driver in Samsung Mobile Devices before SMR Sep-2021 Release 1 allows local users to read limited kernel memory. The driver fails to validate an undisclosed input before processing it, exposing a limited portion of kernel memory. Exploitation requires local execution on an Android 10 or 11 device using an Exynos 980, 9830, or 2100 chipset; no broader disclosure is reported.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-25457
Published
Sep 9, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Product
Samsung Mobile Devices
Classifications
CWE-20
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 9, 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

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

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) devices with Exynos 980, 9830, 2100 chipsets <SMR Sep-2021 Release 1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. · Samsung Mobile Devicesversion=Q(10.0), R(11.0) devices with Exynos 980, 9830, 2100 chipsets <SMR Sep-2021 Release 1

Published CVSS scores

2.1NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
3.3NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
5.9Samsung MobileCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

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
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation

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

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo