CVE-2026-21040 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE • 07/10/2026
Improper access control in IAFDService prior to SMR Jul-2026 Release 1 allows local privileged attackers to use the privileged APIs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2026
The vulnerability identified in IAFDService prior to the SMR Jul-2026 Release 1 represents a critical improper access control flaw that enables local privileged attackers to exploit privileged application programming interfaces. This weakness falls under the CWE-284 access control category, specifically manifesting as inadequate authorization controls that permit unauthorized elevation of privileges within the system. The vulnerability exists in the service's API implementation where proper authentication and authorization checks fail to validate the privilege levels of incoming requests.
The technical implementation flaw occurs at the service layer where privileged APIs lack sufficient validation mechanisms to verify the requesting entity's authorization level. Attackers with local access can leverage this weakness to invoke functions that should only be accessible to system administrators or privileged processes. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and privilege checking mechanisms within the API framework, allowing malicious actors to bypass normal access controls through crafted requests that exploit the service's trust model.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for systems running affected IAFDService versions as local attackers who have already compromised a system can escalate their privileges without additional authentication requirements. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation since the attacker can potentially access sensitive system information, modify critical configurations, or manipulate data through the privileged APIs. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation and can serve as a foundation for further attacks within the network.
The security implications are particularly severe given that the vulnerability affects systems prior to the SMR Jul-2026 Release 1, indicating this flaw has persisted for an extended period without proper remediation. Organizations running affected versions face heightened risk of unauthorized access and potential system compromise. The attack surface is limited to local privileged access but remains dangerous since attackers who have already gained local system access can leverage this vulnerability to achieve further system control.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate deployment of the SMR Jul-2026 Release 1 which includes proper access control implementations and API validation mechanisms. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring for unauthorized API calls and privilege escalation attempts. The remediation process involves strengthening authentication checks, implementing proper authorization frameworks, and ensuring all privileged APIs perform comprehensive privilege validation before executing sensitive operations. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify systems running vulnerable versions and prioritize their patching schedules accordingly.