CVE-2026-21002 in Galaxy Store
Summary
by MITRE • 03/16/2026
Improper verification of cryptographic signature in Galaxy Store prior to version 4.6.03.8 allows local attacker to install arbitrary application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-21002 represents a critical cryptographic signature verification flaw within the Galaxy Store application ecosystem prior to version 4.6.03.8. This weakness resides in the mobile application distribution platform that serves as the primary gateway for Android applications on Samsung devices, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors with local access to affected devices. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that should have confirmed the authenticity and integrity of applications before installation, effectively undermining the security model that protects users from potentially harmful software.
The technical implementation of this flaw manifests in the cryptographic signature verification process where the Galaxy Store fails to properly validate digital signatures associated with application packages. This occurs at the application installation phase where the system should verify that the application originates from a trusted source and has not been tampered with during distribution. Attackers with local access can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious applications that bypass the signature verification checks, allowing them to install unauthorized software without proper authentication or integrity validation. The vulnerability specifically impacts the Android application verification framework, where cryptographic hashes and digital signatures are not adequately validated against expected values.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized application installation, as it creates a persistent threat vector that could enable more sophisticated attacks. An attacker with local access could potentially deploy malware, spyware, or other malicious applications that operate with the privileges of the Galaxy Store application, potentially compromising device security and user privacy. This weakness also undermines the trust model that Samsung has established for its ecosystem, as users expect that applications installed through the official store are verified and safe. The vulnerability creates an environment where attackers can establish persistence on devices and potentially escalate privileges to gain deeper access to system resources and user data.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a variant of CWE-311, which deals with the absence of cryptographic protection for sensitive data, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1195.002 related to supply chain attacks through application stores. The flaw demonstrates a failure in the application integrity verification process that should have been addressed through proper cryptographic validation mechanisms. Organizations should immediately implement patch management protocols to upgrade affected Galaxy Store versions to 4.6.03.8 or later, while also considering network-level monitoring to detect unauthorized application installations. Additional mitigations should include user education regarding the risks of installing applications from untrusted sources and implementing device management policies that restrict application installation capabilities on enterprise devices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining robust cryptographic verification processes in mobile application ecosystems and underscores the need for continuous security assessments of application distribution platforms.