CVE-2026-21001 in Galaxy Store
Summary
by MITRE • 03/16/2026
Path traversal in Galaxy Store prior to version 4.6.03.8 allows local attacker to create file with Galaxy Store privilege.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-21001 represents a critical path traversal flaw within the Galaxy Store application ecosystem prior to version 4.6.03.8. This security weakness specifically affects Samsung's Galaxy Store platform and enables local attackers to exploit improper input validation mechanisms that govern file system access. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied paths during file operations, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate file system navigation and potentially execute unauthorized file creation activities with elevated privileges. The flaw operates at the application level where the Galaxy Store fails to properly validate or sanitize file paths before processing them, allowing attackers to craft malicious inputs that bypass normal access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic path traversal attack vector where the application processes file system operations without sufficient validation of the input parameters. Attackers can leverage this weakness to create files in directories that would normally be restricted or protected, effectively elevating their privileges within the application's security context. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege in software security design. The flaw allows for arbitrary file creation operations that can potentially lead to persistent malware installation or privilege escalation within the device's application environment. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Galaxy Store's file handling mechanisms and exposes the underlying file system access controls to manipulation by local attackers who possess minimal privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2026-21001 extends beyond simple unauthorized file creation, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the device ecosystem. Local attackers who can exploit this vulnerability can create malicious files with Galaxy Store privileges, potentially enabling them to install unauthorized applications or modify existing software components. This capability directly violates the security model of the Android platform and Samsung's application sandboxing mechanisms. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious application installation or direct manipulation of the Galaxy Store application's file handling processes. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw represents a significant opportunity for attackers to establish persistent access or execute more advanced malicious activities within the device's application environment.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the Galaxy Store application. The primary remediation involves proper path normalization and validation that prevents attackers from manipulating file system paths through crafted inputs. Organizations should implement strict access controls and privilege separation within the application's file handling components to prevent unauthorized file creation operations. The fix should include comprehensive testing of all file system operations to ensure that input parameters are properly validated before any file system access occurs. Additionally, the implementation of secure coding practices such as using whitelisting approaches for file operations and employing proper error handling mechanisms can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding guidelines and implementing proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security framework and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for potential exploitation paths.