CVE-2026-21044 in KnoxGuardManager
Summary
by MITRE • 07/10/2026
Improper authorization in KnoxGuardManager prior to SMR Jul-2026 Release 1 allows local attackers to bypass the persistence configuration of the application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2026
The vulnerability described represents a critical authorization flaw within the KnoxGuardManager component of Samsung's Android-based security framework, specifically affecting systems prior to the SMR July 2026 security release. This issue stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that permit local attackers to exploit weak authentication checks during the application's persistence configuration process. The flaw exists in the underlying authorization logic where proper validation of user credentials and privileges fails to occur before granting access to sensitive system configuration parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the KnoxGuardManager's permission handling subsystem, which should enforce strict authorization controls when modifying application persistence settings. According to CWE-285, this represents an improper authorization condition where the system fails to properly verify that the requesting entity has sufficient privileges to perform the requested operation. The flaw allows attackers with local access to manipulate configuration settings without proper authentication, effectively bypassing the intended security controls that should prevent unauthorized modifications to the application's persistence mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables local attackers to gain elevated privileges within the Knox security framework, potentially allowing them to establish persistent backdoors or modify critical security policies. The attack vector requires only local system access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by malware already present on the device or by attackers who have gained physical access. This weakness undermines the fundamental security model of KnoxGuardManager, which is designed to provide enterprise-level security controls for mobile devices. The vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of the security configuration, potentially allowing attackers to disable security features or modify system behavior in ways that could compromise the entire device.
The mitigation strategy involves applying the SMR July 2026 security update which includes proper authorization checks and strengthens the permission validation mechanisms within KnoxGuardManager. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring for unauthorized configuration changes and ensure that only trusted applications have access to the persistence configuration interfaces. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1547.001, this vulnerability could be leveraged for persistence mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where device security is paramount. Security administrators should conduct thorough risk assessments of affected systems and consider implementing additional access controls beyond the default Knox configurations to prevent exploitation of this authorization bypass condition.