CVE-2026-21062 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE • 08/10/2026
Authorization bypass in SemClipboardService prior to SMR Aug-2026 Release 1 allows local attackers to access clipboard data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as an authorization bypass in SemClipboardService represents a critical security flaw that existed in certain versions of Samsung's mobile operating system prior to the August 2026 Security Maintenance Release. This issue stems from insufficient access controls within the clipboard service component, which is responsible for managing and securing clipboard data across the device. The vulnerability allows local attackers who have already compromised the device or gained user-level access to bypass normal authorization mechanisms and directly access clipboard contents that should otherwise be restricted.
The technical implementation of this flaw lies in the SemClipboardService's failure to properly validate access requests from different application contexts. When applications attempt to access clipboard data, the service should verify that the requesting process has appropriate permissions and belongs to a trusted context. However, due to missing or inadequate authorization checks, malicious applications can exploit this gap to retrieve clipboard contents without proper authentication. This vulnerability specifically affects Android-based devices running Samsung's proprietary operating system components where SemClipboardService handles clipboard operations with insufficient access control validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as clipboard contents often contain sensitive information such as passwords, personal identification numbers, private messages, and other confidential data that users have copied to their device. Attackers can leverage this authorization bypass to harvest credentials from password managers or login screens, extract personal communication data, or gather information that could be used for further exploitation. The local nature of this attack means that no network connectivity is required, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through pre-existing compromises such as malware installations, jailbreaks, or other local privilege escalation techniques.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control within software systems, and represents a classic example of insufficient authorization checking in system services. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw maps to ATT&CK technique T1547.001, which covers registry run keys and startup folder modifications, as attackers may use this capability to establish persistence while harvesting clipboard data. The vulnerability also relates to T1552, credential access techniques, particularly when clipboard contents contain authentication information.
Mitigation strategies for this authorization bypass involve applying the August 2026 Security Maintenance Release which includes proper access control enforcement within SemClipboardService. Users should immediately update their devices to the latest security patches available through Samsung's official update channels. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for any unauthorized applications that might attempt to access clipboard data and implement application whitelisting policies where possible. Organizations should also consider implementing clipboard monitoring solutions that can detect suspicious access patterns and alert on potential exploitation attempts. Device encryption and strong authentication mechanisms should remain enabled to provide additional layers of protection against local attackers who might exploit this vulnerability.
The remediation process requires careful attention to ensure that the security patch properly addresses all access control validation points within the clipboard service while maintaining functionality for legitimate applications. Samsung's update process should include thorough regression testing to verify that normal clipboard operations continue to function correctly after the authorization bypass fix is applied, preventing potential disruptions to user experience while strengthening system security boundaries.
This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation in system services and highlights how even seemingly benign components like clipboard managers can become attack vectors when authorization checks are insufficiently enforced. The issue emphasizes the need for continuous security auditing of core system services and proper validation of access control mechanisms, particularly those handling sensitive user data. Organizations should also consider implementing regular vulnerability assessments targeting system-level services to identify similar authorization bypass opportunities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.