CVE-2025-21049
📋 TL;DR
An improper access control vulnerability in Samsung's SecSettings component allows local attackers to access sensitive information when user interaction occurs. This affects Samsung devices running versions prior to the October 2025 security maintenance release. Attackers must have physical or local access to the device to exploit this vulnerability.
💻 Affected Systems
- Samsung mobile devices with SecSettings component
📦 What is this software?
Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →Android by Samsung
Android is Google's open-source mobile operating system powering over 3 billion devices worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, automotive systems, wearables, and IoT devices. As the world's dominant mobile OS with approximately 72% global market share, Android serves as the foundation...
Learn more about Android →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local attackers could access sensitive system information, configuration data, or user credentials stored within SecSettings, potentially leading to privilege escalation or further system compromise.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to device settings or configuration information that should be restricted, potentially exposing device security settings or user preferences.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and the patch applied, only authorized users can access sensitive SecSettings information, maintaining normal security boundaries.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and user interaction. No public exploit code is currently available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: SMR Oct-2025 Release 1 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://security.samsungmobile.com/securityUpdate.smsb?year=2025&month=10
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Check for system updates in device settings. 2. Install the October 2025 security maintenance release. 3. Verify the update completed successfully.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict physical access
allLimit physical access to devices to prevent local attackers from exploiting this vulnerability.
User awareness
allEducate users not to interact with suspicious prompts or settings from untrusted sources.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict physical security controls for devices
- Monitor for unusual access patterns to SecSettings components
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check device security patch level in Settings > About phone > Software information. If patch level is earlier than October 2025, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
Settings > About phone > Software information > Android security patch levelVerify Fix Applied:
Verify security patch level shows 'October 2025' or later in device settings.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual access patterns to SecSettings components
- Failed access control checks in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Local network scans targeting device settings
SIEM Query:
Search for SecSettings access attempts from unauthorized users or unusual time periods