CVE-2026-21061 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE • 08/10/2026
Improper input validation in Samsung Dialer prior to SMR Aug-2026 Release 1 allows remote attackers to access SIM related functions. User interaction is required for triggering this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in Samsung's Dialer application affecting devices prior to the August 2026 security release. The issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-provided data before processing sensitive SIM-related operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness through remote means by crafting malicious inputs that bypass normal authentication and authorization checks, potentially gaining unauthorized access to SIM card functions including but not limited to call forwarding settings, SMS configuration, and subscriber identity verification capabilities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental security weakness where applications fail to properly validate or sanitize input data. This flaw requires user interaction to trigger, making it classified as a user-initiated attack vector that typically involves social engineering or phishing techniques to convince victims to interact with malicious content. The vulnerability exists in the Dialer application's processing pipeline where SIM-related commands are executed without adequate sanitization of potentially malicious input parameters.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to both individual users and enterprise environments. Attackers could potentially intercept sensitive communication data, manipulate call routing configurations, or gain unauthorized access to personal information stored on the SIM card. The attack surface extends beyond simple privilege escalation since SIM card functions often contain highly sensitive subscriber data that can be leveraged for identity theft, financial fraud, or targeted surveillance operations. The requirement for user interaction suggests this vulnerability may be exploited through SMS messages, web links, or other social engineering tactics that prompt users to perform specific actions within the Dialer application.
Organizations and individuals should implement immediate mitigations including deploying the Samsung SMR August 2026 security update which addresses this specific vulnerability through enhanced input validation controls and proper sanitization of SIM-related command parameters. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring controls to detect unusual patterns in SIM card access requests or unauthorized configuration changes. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreters, particularly in scenarios involving mobile application exploitation. Users should be trained to avoid interacting with suspicious content and maintain current device firmware versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in mobile applications.