CVE-2026-21112 in Tips
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2026
Improper input validation in Samsung Tips prior to Android 17 allows local attackers to launch arbitrary activity with Samsung Tips privilege. User interaction is required for triggering this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2026
The identified vulnerability resides within the Samsung Tips application, a pre-installed utility on devices running versions of Android prior to version 17. This component serves as an informational guide and tutorial system designed to help users navigate device features. The core technical flaw is classified as improper input validation, specifically falling under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation. In this context, the application fails to adequately sanitize or verify inputs received from external sources before processing them for internal operations. This lack of rigorous checking allows a local attacker who has gained access to the device to inject maliciously crafted data that bypasses expected constraints within the Samsung Tips logic flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant due to the privilege level associated with the application. By exploiting the input validation failure, an attacker can force the system to launch arbitrary activities or intents under the security context and privileges granted to the Samsung Tips app. This capability effectively allows for a local privilege escalation scenario where the attacker leverages the trusted status of the pre-installed software to perform actions that would otherwise be restricted by standard Android sandboxing mechanisms. The ability to launch arbitrary activities can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive application data, manipulation of user interface elements, or further exploitation chains targeting other components on the device that rely on inter-process communication with Samsung Tips.
A critical factor in the exploitability of this vulnerability is the requirement for user interaction. This indicates that the attack vector likely involves social engineering tactics rather than a fully automated remote execution path. An attacker must deceive a victim into performing an action, such as clicking a malicious link or opening a specially crafted file, which then triggers the vulnerable code path within Samsung Tips. Despite this dependency on human intervention, the risk remains substantial in environments where users may be less vigilant regarding app permissions and unexpected system behaviors triggered by third-party content.
From a threat intelligence perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059: Command and Scripting Interpreter if the launched activities involve executing scripts or commands, or more broadly with lateral movement techniques if used to pivot within an enterprise environment. It also relates to CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command if the arbitrary activity involves system-level operations. The vulnerability highlights a common challenge in mobile security where pre-installed applications often operate with elevated privileges, making any input validation lapse particularly dangerous compared to vulnerabilities in standard user-downloaded apps.
Mitigation strategies primarily focus on software updates and configuration management. Device manufacturers must release patches that enforce strict input sanitization routines within the Samsung Tips application codebase. Administrators managing fleets of Android devices should ensure that all systems are updated to Android 17 or later, where this specific flaw has been addressed. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, network segmentation and mobile device management policies can help restrict the ability of untrusted applications to interact with system components like Samsung Tips. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of interacting with unknown sources remains a vital layer of defense against exploitation attempts that rely on social engineering to trigger the vulnerability.