CVE-2026-21037 in Members
Summary
by MITRE • 06/05/2026
Improper input validation in Samsung Members prior to version 5.8.01.5 allows local attackers to access arbitrary URL and launch arbitrary activity with Samsung Members privilege.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2026
This vulnerability resides in the Samsung Members application, a proprietary service ecosystem designed to provide users with access to various Samsung services and features. The flaw represents a critical input validation weakness that enables local attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted inputs. Prior to version 5.8.01.5, the application failed to properly validate user-supplied data when processing URLs and activity launch requests, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of input parameters that are directly used to construct intent objects within the Android application framework. This weakness allows attackers with local access to craft malicious inputs that bypass normal security checks and execute arbitrary activities with the elevated privileges of the Samsung Members application itself.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insecure input handling that aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation issues. When the application processes external inputs for URL redirection or activity launching, it fails to validate the format, content, or source of these parameters before using them in system calls. This creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious data that gets interpreted as legitimate commands. The vulnerability specifically affects the Android Intent system where the application uses implicit intents to launch other activities or open URLs, and the lack of proper validation allows attackers to manipulate these intent parameters to redirect to arbitrary destinations or launch unauthorized applications. The attack vector requires local system access, making it a privilege escalation issue that leverages the trusted application context to execute unauthorized operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary activities with the elevated privileges of the Samsung Members application. This creates potential for further exploitation including access to sensitive user data, unauthorized service usage, and possible privilege escalation to other system components. The Samsung Members application typically has access to various user accounts and service integrations, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for attackers seeking to compromise user privacy or system integrity. The attack could potentially enable lateral movement within the device or access to other Samsung services that rely on the membership system for authentication and authorization. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to user trust in Samsung's ecosystem, as it allows malicious actors to exploit the application's legitimate privileges for unauthorized purposes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and sanitization within the Samsung Members application. The primary remediation involves strengthening the validation logic to ensure all user-supplied inputs undergo rigorous checking before being used in intent construction or URL processing. This includes implementing proper parameter validation, input encoding, and ensuring that only trusted and properly formatted inputs are accepted. Samsung should implement a whitelist approach for acceptable URL schemes and activity components, rejecting any inputs that do not conform to predefined safe patterns. The fix should also include proper logging and monitoring of suspicious input patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, the application should be updated to use Android's built-in security mechanisms for intent handling and URL validation, following best practices outlined in the Android Security Best Practices documentation. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future releases, with particular attention to input handling and privilege management within mobile applications.