Appsecure logo

CVE-2025-21042: High Vulnerability in Samsung Android

A high-severity privilege escalation vulnerability exists in Samsung Android devices due to an out-of-bounds write in libimagecodec.quram.so. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk of arbitrary code execution.

HIGHKnown ExploitedCVSS 8.8 · Published September 12, 2025

Not a customer? See how AppSecure simulates real world attacks to protect your infrastructure.

Speak to Experts

CVE-2025-21042 is classified as a high-severity vulnerability with a CVSS score of 8.8. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code due to an out-of-bounds write in the libimagecodec.quram.so library prior to the SMR April 2025 Release 1. Given its critical nature, organizations using affected Samsung Android devices are at significant risk.

The exploitation status is confirmed, as there is known exploit activity associated with this vulnerability. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems, making it imperative for organizations to address this issue as a priority.

Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability. The potential for remote code execution represents a serious threat, and timely action is essential to protect sensitive data and maintain system integrity.

In summary, CVE-2025-21042 poses a significant threat to Samsung Android devices, necessitating urgent remediation efforts to safeguard against potential exploitation.

Vulnerability Details

The official CVE description states: 'Out-of-bounds write in libimagecodec.quram.so prior to SMR Apr-2025 Release 1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.' This vulnerability falls under CWE-787, indicating issues related to improper control of a resource through its lifetime.

The CVSS score of 8.8 indicates a high severity level, which means organizations must take immediate action. The vulnerability affects Samsung Android products, specifically those operating under version 13.0 and 14.0, as detailed in the configurations.

The vulnerability was published on September 12, 2025, and its implications extend to all devices that have not been patched since then. Organizations must ensure that their systems are updated accordingly.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of CVE-2025-21042 is an out-of-bounds write error in the libimagecodec.quram.so library, which can be exploited over a network. This vulnerability requires low attack complexity, as no special privileges are needed to exploit it, thus increasing its potential for widespread impact.

User interaction is required for exploiting this vulnerability, which means that an attacker may need the target user to perform certain actions that could lead to the execution of arbitrary code. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all rated as high, indicating that successful exploitation could lead to significant damage.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive information, potential data breaches, and loss of system integrity. The blast radius is substantial, as a single exploited device could lead to further compromise within an organization's network.

Given the CVSS score of 8.8 and its inclusion in the KEV catalog, organizations must assess their exposure and prioritize remediation efforts. The urgency for patching is critical, especially for devices running vulnerable versions of Samsung Android.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

Yes

Public PoC

Yes

Actively Exploited

Yes

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

All versions prior to vendor patch are affected, specifically those running Samsung Android versions 13.0 and 14.0. Organizations should verify their systems against the configurations provided to identify vulnerable deployments.

Mitigation & Remediation

Samsung has released a patch in the SMR April 2025 Release 1 to address this vulnerability. Organizations must apply this update immediately to mitigate the risk. If the patch is unavailable, organizations should implement workarounds and harden configurations where applicable.

In addition to patching, organizations should consider implementing network controls to limit exposure and monitor for unusual activity associated with this vulnerability.

For more comprehensive testing and to validate remediation effectiveness, organizations should consider penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.

Detection Guidance

Organizations should monitor logs for any indicators of exploitation attempts, such as unusual access patterns or failed login attempts. Behavioral anomalies in user activity may also suggest exploitation of this vulnerability.

Implementing network signatures to detect suspicious traffic associated with this vulnerability can provide an additional layer of security.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of CVE-2025-21042 highlights the increasing trend of remote code execution vulnerabilities in mobile devices. As organizations increasingly depend on mobile technology, security teams must remain vigilant against such threats.

This vulnerability underscores the importance of timely patching and proactive security measures. Organizations should prioritize the development of a robust vulnerability management program to address emerging threats effectively.

Furthermore, organizations should adopt strategies that involve regular security assessments and continuous engagement with penetration testing to stay ahead of potential exploitation vectors.

In conclusion, CVE-2025-21042 exemplifies the critical nature of vigilance in mobile security. Organizations must not only address this specific vulnerability but also strengthen their overall security posture.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

Latest CVEs. Recently published vulnerabilities from the NVD database.

View all vulnerabilities
CVE IDSeverity
CVE-2025-65418HIGH
CVE-2025-65417MEDIUM
CVE-2025-65416MEDIUM
CVE-2025-65415MEDIUM
CVE-2025-61314HIGH

Protect Your Business with Hacker-Focused Approach.