CVE-2026-21102 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2026
Use after free in DualDAR prior to SMR Sep-2026 Release 1 allows local privileged attackers to execute arbitrary code with root privilege.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as a use-after-free condition within the DualDAR component represents a critical memory management error that can be exploited by local privileged attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution at the highest level of system authority, specifically root privileges. This type of flaw typically arises when a program continues to use a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed, often due to improper handling of object lifecycles or race conditions in multi-threaded environments. In the context of DualDAR, which likely serves as a dual-redundant access control or security enforcement mechanism within the SMR architecture prior to the September 2026 Release 1 update, this defect undermines the integrity of the system's core security controls. The presence of such a vulnerability indicates that the memory allocator failed to properly invalidate references to deallocated resources, allowing an attacker who has already gained privileged access to manipulate these dangling pointers and redirect execution flow.
From a technical perspective, use-after-free vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they allow for precise control over heap layout and can be chained with other techniques such as heap spraying or arbitrary write primitives to bypass modern memory protection mechanisms like Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and Data Execution Prevention (DEP). When an attacker triggers the free operation on a DualDAR object but retains access through stale pointers, they can overwrite adjacent memory structures. By carefully crafting input data, the attacker can corrupt function pointers or virtual table entries within these overwritten regions. Subsequent calls to methods associated with the compromised objects will then execute malicious code injected into the heap space rather than legitimate system functions. This mechanism effectively neutralizes the protective boundaries intended by the operating system and allows for full compromise of the host environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it enables privilege escalation from a privileged user account to root access without requiring physical presence or additional external dependencies beyond local execution capabilities. Once an attacker achieves arbitrary code execution with root privileges, they gain unrestricted control over the entire system. This includes the ability to install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify security policies, and pivot to other systems within the network infrastructure. The existence of this flaw in DualDAR suggests that even redundant or dual-layered security mechanisms may contain implementation flaws that negate their intended protective benefits if not properly maintained through regular updates. Organizations relying on SMR components prior to the specified release date are at significant risk until patches addressing these memory safety issues are deployed and verified for effectiveness against exploitation attempts.
To mitigate this vulnerability, immediate action is required to apply vendor-provided security patches or firmware updates that correct the memory management logic within DualDAR. These updates should specifically address the lifecycle management of objects to ensure that pointers are nullified immediately after deallocation and that access checks are performed before any pointer dereference occurs. In addition to patching, organizations should implement strict least-privilege principles for all user accounts interacting with SMR components to limit the potential blast radius if exploitation were to occur. Monitoring tools such as intrusion detection systems configured to detect anomalous memory allocation patterns or unexpected privilege escalations can provide early warning indicators of attempted exploits. Furthermore, enabling advanced runtime protection features like Control Flow Integrity (CFI) and Heap Sanitizers in development environments during future updates will help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into subsequent releases.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-416, which describes use after free errors resulting from improper memory management practices. It also maps to the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion, specifically those involving exploitation of software vulnerabilities for initial access or lateral movement within a compromised environment. Understanding these classifications helps security teams prioritize remediation efforts based on industry-standard risk assessments and threat intelligence models. The resolution requires not only technical patching but also rigorous testing procedures including fuzzing and static analysis to ensure that no residual dangling references remain in the codebase. Continuous integration pipelines should incorporate memory safety checks to catch such defects early in the development lifecycle, thereby reducing the window of exposure for deployed systems running older versions of SMR components before the September 2026 Release 1 becomes available.