CVE-2021-25401
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an intent redirection vulnerability in Samsung Health that allows attackers to execute privileged actions without proper authorization. The vulnerability affects Samsung Health users on Android devices prior to version 6.16. Attackers could potentially manipulate intents to perform unauthorized operations within the app.
💻 Affected Systems
- Samsung Health
📦 What is this software?
Health by Samsung
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker could execute arbitrary privileged actions within Samsung Health, potentially accessing sensitive health data, modifying app settings, or performing unauthorized operations that could impact user privacy and security.
Likely Case
Attackers could redirect intents to perform unauthorized actions within the app, potentially accessing or modifying user health data, though full device compromise is unlikely without additional vulnerabilities.
If Mitigated
With proper app sandboxing and Android security controls, the impact would be limited to the Samsung Health app's permissions and data scope.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires the attacker to have some level of access to the device or ability to interact with the app through other means.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 6.16 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://security.samsungmobile.com/serviceWeb.smsb?year=2021&month=5
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Open Google Play Store on Android device
2. Search for Samsung Health
3. If update is available, tap Update
4. Alternatively, update through Samsung Galaxy Store if installed
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Samsung Health
androidTemporarily disable the Samsung Health app to prevent exploitation
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.sec.android.app.shealth
Restrict app permissions
androidReview and restrict Samsung Health permissions to minimum required
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement mobile device management (MDM) policies to restrict app installations and permissions
- Use Android work profiles to isolate Samsung Health from sensitive corporate data
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Samsung Health app version in Android Settings > Apps > Samsung Health > App infoCheck Version:
adb shell dumpsys package com.sec.android.app.shealth | grep versionNameVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Samsung Health version is 6.16 or higher after update📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual intent redirection attempts in Android system logs
- Samsung Health permission escalation attempts
Network Indicators:
- Unusual network traffic from Samsung Health app to unexpected destinations
SIEM Query:
source="android_logs" app="Samsung Health" (event="intent_redirection" OR event="permission_violation")