CVE-2025-21043 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 libimagecodec.quram.so. The potential impacts are severe, affecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems.
The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-787 and impacts Samsung's Android operating system. As of now, this vulnerability has been acknowledged in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, signaling its importance and the need for immediate attention from organizations using affected devices.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to protect their systems from remote exploitation. The risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and control over devices, which can lead to further compromises.
The urgency for defenders is high, as the potential for exploitation exists despite no confirmed public exploit at this time. Security teams must be vigilant in applying the necessary mitigations as outlined by the vendor.
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code due to an out-of-bounds write in libimagecodec.quram.so prior to SMR Sep-2025 Release 1. The CVSS score of 8.8 indicates a high severity level, which means that the vulnerability could be exploited with low attack complexity and requires no privileges but does require user interaction.
The vulnerability was published on September 12, 2025. Organizations using affected versions of Samsung Android, particularly those before the specified release, are at significant risk. The CVSS vector indicates a network attack vector with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2025-21043 stems from improper input validation leading to an out-of-bounds write condition. This occurs when the software does not adequately check the bounds of a buffer before writing data, allowing attackers to overwrite memory locations, potentially executing arbitrary code.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, meaning that an attacker can exploit it remotely without physical access to the device. The attack complexity is considered low, as it does not require any specific conditions to be met other than convincing a user to interact with the malicious payload. Privileges required for exploitation are none, and user interaction is required.
In terms of impact, the vulnerability has high potential effects on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems, allowing full control for attackers who exploit it.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world risk includes the possibility of remote code execution, which can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, data breaches, and further system compromises. Organizations utilizing Samsung Android devices must assess their exposure to this vulnerability, especially in environments where users may interact with untrusted content.
The blast radius of this vulnerability can be extensive given the prevalence of Android devices in various sectors, including finance, healthcare, and government. Depending on the deployment scale, the potential for widespread impact is significant.
Considering the CVSS score and its inclusion in the KEV catalog, organizations should treat this vulnerability with high urgency. Immediate actions should be taken to apply patches and mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions prior to SMR Sep-2025 Release 1 are affected, including Samsung Android versions 13.0 and 14.0. Organizations should ensure they are running the latest updates to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the latest security patches provided by Samsung for the Android operating system. It is critical to upgrade to the SMR September 2025 Release 1 or later to address this vulnerability effectively. In cases where an immediate patch is not available, organizations should implement network controls to limit exposure and monitor for any suspicious activities.
Further, organizations can benefit from performing an offensive security testing to validate their security posture against this and similar vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor logs for unusual behaviors indicating possible out-of-bounds access. This includes tracking network traffic patterns, user interactions that could trigger the vulnerability, and any unauthorized access attempts to sensitive resources.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-21043 lies in its representation of a common flaw in software security: out-of-bounds writes. This incident highlights the importance of rigorous input validation and memory management in application development.
Security teams should take this as a reminder to regularly audit their applications for similar vulnerabilities and adopt best practices in secure coding to prevent such issues.
For further insights on application security, organizations can refer to resources like the vulnerability management program and the penetration testing methodology guides.
Additionally, organizations should consider leveraging web application penetration testing to further enhance their security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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