CVE-2025-21004 in Galaxy Watch
Summary
by MITRE • 07/08/2025
Improper verification of intent by broadcast receiver in System UI for Galaxy Watch prior to SMR Jul-2025 Release 1 allows local attackers to power off the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2026
This vulnerability exists within the System UI component of Samsung Galaxy Watch devices prior to the SMR July 2025 security release. The flaw resides in how broadcast receivers handle intent verification mechanisms, specifically failing to properly validate incoming broadcast intents before executing critical system operations. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient input validation where the system UI component accepts broadcast messages without adequate authentication or authorization checks, creating a pathway for malicious local actors to manipulate device behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper intent verification within the broadcast receiver architecture. When the System UI component receives broadcast intents, it does not perform sufficient validation to ensure the intent originates from legitimate system components or authorized applications. This weakness allows a local attacker with appropriate privileges to craft malicious broadcast intents that trigger the device power-off functionality. The flaw operates at the application layer of the Android security model and demonstrates poor adherence to secure coding practices for intent handling. According to CWE-284, this represents an inadequate access control implementation where the system fails to properly verify the authenticity of broadcast messages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for device security and user experience. A local attacker can exploit this weakness to remotely power off a Galaxy Watch device without user consent or authorization, potentially disrupting device functionality and creating denial-of-service conditions. This capability could be particularly dangerous in environments where device availability is critical, such as medical devices or industrial monitoring systems. The vulnerability affects the device's core power management functionality and could be leveraged as part of broader attack chains targeting device availability or user privacy. Attackers could potentially chain this vulnerability with other local exploits to gain further control over device operations.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of the SMR July 2025 security update from Samsung, which addresses the intent verification weakness through proper broadcast receiver validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies to ensure timely deployment of security patches. Additionally, network administrators should monitor for suspicious broadcast activity on managed devices and consider implementing application control measures to limit unauthorized broadcast intent processing. The fix typically involves strengthening intent verification through proper signature checking, component validation, and access control enforcement. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for broadcast intent manipulation and demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in mobile security frameworks.