CVE-2025-21047 in KnoxGuard
Summary
by MITRE • 10/10/2025
Improper access control in KnoxGuard prior to SMR Oct-2025 Release 1 allows physical attackers to use the privileged APIs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2025-21047 represents a critical access control flaw within Samsung KnoxGuard security framework that affects devices prior to the SMR October 2025 release. This weakness stems from insufficient privilege validation mechanisms that permit unauthorized physical access to privileged application programming interfaces. The vulnerability exists in the kernel-level security components of KnoxGuard, which is designed to provide enterprise-grade security for mobile devices. Attackers exploiting this flaw can bypass normal security boundaries and gain access to sensitive system functions that should only be available to authorized applications or system processes. The issue particularly affects devices running Android versions where KnoxGuard is integrated as part of the security architecture, creating a significant risk for enterprise environments that rely on this protection layer.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper validation of caller privileges when accessing privileged APIs within the KnoxGuard subsystem. When legitimate applications attempt to invoke restricted system functions, the security checks fail to properly verify whether the calling process possesses sufficient privileges to execute the requested operations. This flaw allows attackers with physical device access to craft malicious payloads that can directly invoke these privileged interfaces. The vulnerability is classified as a privilege escalation issue under CWE-269, specifically relating to insufficient privileges or incorrect permissions. The root cause lies in the failure of the access control enforcement mechanism to properly validate the security context of API callers, enabling attackers to escalate their privileges through direct system interface manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential full system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Physical attackers with access to affected devices can leverage this flaw to bypass KnoxGuard protections and gain access to encrypted data, system configuration settings, and sensitive enterprise information. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of KnoxGuard, which is designed to provide a secure container for enterprise applications and data. Attackers can potentially extract device encryption keys, modify system configurations, or install malicious software that operates with elevated privileges. This threat is particularly concerning for enterprise environments where devices may be lost or stolen, as the vulnerability allows physical attackers to bypass the security protections that KnoxGuard is specifically designed to provide. The attack vector requires only physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous in scenarios where devices are not properly secured.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-21047 should prioritize immediate deployment of the SMR October 2025 security update from Samsung, which addresses the access control validation issues within KnoxGuard. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies that include mandatory security updates and regular vulnerability assessments. The solution involves strengthening the privilege validation mechanisms within the KnoxGuard subsystem to ensure proper caller context verification before granting access to privileged APIs. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system interfaces. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, specifically T1068 and T1550. Organizations should conduct thorough risk assessments to identify all devices running vulnerable versions of KnoxGuard and prioritize remediation efforts based on device usage patterns and sensitivity of data stored on those devices. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the potential consequences of delayed security updates in enterprise mobile device management environments.