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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A06:2021 - Vulnerable and Outdated Components
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Memory lifecycle management
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Execution, Privilege Escalation

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Impact

Multiple risk signals converge to indicate this is a HIGH-priority vulnerability: (1) CVSS 3.1 vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H confirms local attack vector with low attack complexity and user-level privileges required—realistic for malicious apps or compromised processes. (2) The privilege escalation impact (C:H/I:H/A:H) is critical, as successful exploitation grants full system compromise. (3) No EPSS or KEV data is provided in the query, but UAF vulnerabilities in processor firmware are frequently exploited in real-world scenarios (e.g., Qualcomm Snapdragon exploits). (4) The broad affected product range (7 Exynos variants) spans millions of Samsung Galaxy devices globally. (5) Per SSVC framework: exploitation likely Functional (UAF POCs are common), automatable (kernel fuzzing/memory access patterns), and Technical Impact is Complete. However, the Local-only attack vector reduces the attack surface compared to network-exploitable flaws. This is a genuine priority for device owners and Samsung; patches should be prioritized, especially for high-volume models like S21/S22.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker installs a malicious app on a victim's Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos 2200). The app triggers the Use-After-Free vulnerability in the processor's firmware by crafting specific memory access patterns—e.g., manipulating device driver I/O or triggering interrupt handling routines that operate on freed memory. This could occur via: (a) malicious NDK code in a legitimate-looking app, (b) a compromised Chrome/WebView renderer process, or (c) a rogue Wi-Fi or Bluetooth protocol handler. Upon successful exploitation, the attacker's code gains kernel privileges (or TEE privilege if the UAF is in the secure world), bypassing Android's sandbox entirely. The attacker can then: extract sensitive data (contacts, photos, credentials), install persistent rootkits, intercept communications, or brick the device. Attack complexity is LOW, meaning the exploit likely doesn't require heap spray techniques or complex triggering; standard memory corruption tools suffice. Detection is difficult because the exploit runs as a local process; no network traffic or suspicious external access is required.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
No patch listed yet 0.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 14, 2026

Use-After-Free (UAF) vulnerability in Samsung's Exynos mobile processors (980, 990, 1080, 2100, 1280, 2200, 1380) that enables local privilege escalation. An authenticated attacker with local access can exploit this memory safety flaw to gain elevated privileges on affected devices. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8 (High), reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, though exploitation requires local access and existing user-level privileges.

RemediationAI

Immediate actions: (1) Monitor Samsung Security Advisory bulletins for CVE-2025-23098 firmware patches targeting Exynos 980, 990, 1080, 2100, 1280, 2200, 1380 processors. (2) Deploy Over-The-Air (OTA) updates once available; Samsung typically releases monthly or quarterly security updates bundled with other fixes. (3) For enterprise deployments, enforce application sandboxing and SELinux policies to limit local privilege escalation impact if patching is delayed. (4) Restrict sideloading of untrusted apps (require Google Play Protect or enterprise app stores) to reduce attack surface. (5) Mitigations pending patch: disable unknown app installations, use mobile device management (MDM) to enforce app whitelisting, and educate users against phishing/malicious downloads. (6) For affected devices, apply the latest available security patch level; Samsung patches are cumulative. No workaround eliminates the vulnerability; patching is mandatory. Coordinate with carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) for timely OTA availability.

Affected VersionsENISA

n/a n/a

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

The vulnerability exists in Samsung's Exynos System-on-Chip (SoC) processors, which integrate CPU, GPU, modem, and security subsystems. The root cause is CWE-416 (Use-After-Free), a memory corruption flaw where code attempts to access memory regions after they have been freed, leading to undefined behavior. In the context of mobile processors, this likely affects kernel-space or secure execution environment (TEE) code within the Exynos firmware. The affected CPE range includes Samsung Exynos 980 (Galaxy A51), 990 (Galaxy S20/Z Fold 2), 1080 (Galaxy A71), 2100 (Galaxy S21), 1280 (mid-range), 2200 (Galaxy S22), and 1380 (Galaxy A52/A72). This UAF could occur in interrupt handlers, device drivers, or memory management routines within the processor's firmware stack, potentially exposing privileged execution contexts.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 7.8 HIGH
AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

DescriptionCVE.org

An issue was discovered in Samsung Mobile Processor Exynos 980, 990, 1080, 2100, 1280, 2200, 1380. A Use-After-Free in the mobile processor leads to privilege escalation.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

CVE-2025-23098 affects Samsung mobile processors used in devices across the organization, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated system privileges. This vulnerability poses a direct risk to mobile device security and could enable unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data on affected smartphones and tablets.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Implement device compliance policies requiring encryption at rest and in transit; enforce Knox security framework if available on Samsung devices; restrict installation of third-party applications through Mobile Device Management (MDM); disable developer modes and USB debugging; enforce strong authentication (PIN, biometric) on all devices; segment mobile devices from critical network resources; monitor for exploitation attempts through endpoint detection tools; consider temporarily restricting affected devices from accessing highly sensitive applications or data.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.0%
Top 93% exploitable
Data Quality
4 sources
Confidence: Medium

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.0%
Patch available No
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Scheduled
Exploitation· derived
None
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact
High

Priority Score

39
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +39
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Privilege escalation occurs when an attacker leverages flaws in access control mechanisms to gain permissions beyond what they were originally granted.

Use-after-free vulnerabilities occur when a program continues to access memory through a pointer after that memory has been deallocated.

CVE-2023-26496 CRITICAL
9.8 Mar 23

An issue was discovered in Samsung Baseband Modem Chipset for Exynos Modem 5123, Exynos Modem 5300, Exynos 980, Exynos 1

CVE-2023-26498 CRITICAL
9.8 Mar 23

An issue was discovered in Samsung Baseband Modem Chipset for Exynos Modem 5123, Exynos Modem 5300, Exynos 980, Exynos 1

CVE-2023-26497 CRITICAL
9.8 Mar 21

An issue was discovered in Samsung Baseband Modem Chipset for Exynos Modem 5123, Exynos Modem 5300, Exynos 980, Exynos 1

CVE-2023-26073 CRITICAL
9.8 Mar 13

An issue was discovered in Samsung Mobile Chipset and Baseband Modem Chipset for Exynos 850, Exynos 980, Exynos 1080, Ex

CVE-2023-26074 CRITICAL
9.8 Mar 13

An issue was discovered in Samsung Mobile Chipset and Baseband Modem Chipset for Exynos 850, Exynos 980, Exynos 1080, Ex

CVE-2023-26072 CRITICAL
9.8 Mar 13

An issue was discovered in Samsung Mobile Chipset and Baseband Modem Chipset for Exynos 850, Exynos 980, Exynos 1080, Ex

CVE-2023-24033 CRITICAL
9.8 Mar 13

The Samsung Exynos Modem 5123, Exynos Modem 5300, Exynos 980, Exynos 1080, and Exynos Auto T512 baseband modem chipsets

CVE-2023-26075 CRITICAL
9.8 Mar 10

An issue was discovered in Samsung Mobile Chipset and Baseband Modem Chipset for Exynos 850, Exynos 980, Exynos 1080, Ex

CVE-2025-47202 CRITICAL
9.1 Jul 07

In RRC in Samsung Mobile Processor, Wearable Processor, and Modem Exynos 980, 990, 850, 1080, 2100, 1280, 2200, 1330, 13

CVE-2025-27807 CRITICAL
9.1 Jan 05

Samsung Exynos processors (multiple models including 980, 990, 2100, 2200, 2400) and modems have an out-of-bounds write

CVE-2025-23102 HIGH
8.8 Jun 03

Double-free vulnerability in Samsung's Exynos mobile processors (models 980, 990, 1080, 2100, 1280, 2200, 1380, 1480, an

CVE-2024-32502 HIGH
8.4 Jun 07

An issue was discovered in Samsung Mobile Processor and Wearable Processor Exynos 850, Exynos 1080, Exynos 2100, Exynos

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