CVE-2026-21059 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE • 08/10/2026
Improper export of android application components in Samsung Contacts prior to SMR Aug-2026 Release 1 allows local attackers to delete file with Samsung Contacts' privilege.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical improper component export flaw in Samsung Contacts applications prior to the SMR August 2026 security release, fundamentally compromising the application's security boundary and privilege isolation mechanisms. The issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate and restrict access to its exported components, creating an attack surface that allows local adversaries to escalate their privileges and perform unauthorized file deletion operations with the elevated permissions of the Contacts application itself.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the Android manifest configuration where the Contacts application incorrectly exposes internal components through the android:exported attribute without proper intent filter restrictions or permission controls. This misconfiguration enables any local process on the device to directly invoke these exported components, effectively bypassing the normal application sandboxing mechanisms that should protect sensitive system resources. The flaw operates at the Android application framework level, specifically targeting the component exposure and permission model that governs inter-application communication.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates a severe privilege escalation vector that allows attackers with local access to delete files from the device using the Contacts application's elevated privileges. The impact extends beyond simple file deletion, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in Android's security model where applications should not be able to perform operations that require higher system privileges without proper authentication and authorization checks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-922 which addresses insufficient export of components, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' through local system exploits.
The attack scenario involves a malicious application or compromised process on the device that can directly invoke the exported component interfaces of Samsung Contacts. Once executed, the attacker's code can leverage the Contacts application's permissions to delete files, potentially including sensitive data, configuration files, or even system-critical components. This represents a significant compromise of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates how improper security configuration in one application can create cascading effects throughout the device's security architecture.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment through the SMR August 2026 release, which addresses the exported component exposure by properly configuring the android:exported attribute and implementing appropriate permission checks. Organizations should also implement monitoring for unauthorized component access patterns and consider application sandboxing measures to limit the impact of such vulnerabilities. The fix typically involves setting android:exported="false" for internal components or properly restricting access through intent filters and permission requirements, aligning with security best practices outlined in Android's security documentation and industry standards for mobile application security.