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Samsung HEIF Decoder EUVDEUVD-2026-97188

| CVE-2026-21124 HIGH
Improper Input Validation (CWE-20)
2026-10-12 mobile.security@samsung.com GHSA-43vg-jj68-9cc7
8.6
CVSS 4.0 · Vendor: samsung
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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Deliver crafted HEIF file to device
  2. Exploit
    App invokes cover-image decode
  3. Execution
    Improper input validation corrupts memory
  4. Impact
    Execute arbitrary code in decoder context

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A05:2025 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V2 - Validation and Business Logic Input validation, allowlisting
Exploitation Conditions

Exploitation requires the vulnerable cover-image parsing path in libsimba.heifdec.media.samsung.so to process attacker-controlled HEIF input on the device - i.e., a crafted HEIF file (or its embedded cover image) must be opened/decoded locally, typically via a malicious app or a file an attacker can get processed. Limiting factors: the attack vector is local (AV:L), so no remote/network reachability exists and the attacker needs on-device execution or the ability to place and have a malicious file parsed; the issue is fixed in SMR Oct-2026 Release 1, so patched devices are not affected. Per the CVSS 4.0 vector no privileges (PR:N) and no user interaction (UI:N) are required beyond the crafted input reaching the decoder.

Impact

The CVSS 4.0 vector (AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H, score 8.6) indicates a local attack vector with low complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction, yielding high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact - consistent with memory-corruption-style arbitrary code execution in a media decoder. Critically, this is a LOCAL vulnerability (AV:L), not remotely reachable over the network, which materially lowers real-world exploitability versus the high base score: an attacker needs an execution foothold or the ability to get a crafted HEIF cover image processed on the device. No EPSS score, no CISA KEV listing, and no public POC are present in the supplied data, so there is no public exploit identified at time of analysis and no evidence of active exploitation. Net assessment: a genuinely serious code-execution flaw in a Samsung media library warranting prompt patching via the Oct-2026 SMR, but the local-only vector plus absence of KEV/EPSS/POC signals suggests it is not a drop-everything internet-facing emergency; prioritize based on Samsung device fleet exposure rather than mass-exploitation risk.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

A malicious or compromised app on a Samsung device, or a crafted HEIF file delivered to the device and processed locally, triggers the cover-image parsing path in libsimba.heifdec. Improper input validation leads to memory corruption that the attacker leverages to execute arbitrary code in the context of the decoding process. No public exploit code is identified at time of analysis, and because the vector is local (AV:L) the attacker must already be able to run code or place a file on the device.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
No patch listed yet 0.2% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Oct 12, 2026

Local code execution in Samsung's HEIF decoder library (libsimba.heifdec.media.samsung.so) allows unprivileged attackers to run arbitrary code by supplying a crafted HEIF cover image. This improper input validation flaw, tracked as CVE-2026-21124, affects Samsung devices prior to the SMR Oct-2026 Release 1 security update and carries a CVSS 4.0 score of 8.6, indicating high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. No public exploit code has been identified at time of analysis, and patched devices are not affected.

RemediationAI

Apply the Samsung SMR Oct-2026 Release 1 or later security update, which is the vendor-released patch for CVE-2026-21124. Users should update via Settings > Software update on their Samsung device. Since the flaw requires no privileges and no user interaction, patching is urgent even though no public exploit code exists. If patching is delayed, avoid opening untrusted HEIF files or cover images from unknown sources, and restrict apps that can decode HEIF files (e.g., gallery, messaging) from processing untrusted files; however, these workarounds are limited because the decoder may be invoked by multiple system components, and they have trade-offs in usability. The only complete fix is applying the security update.

Affected VersionsENISA

Samsung Mobile Devices patch: SMR Oct-2026 Release in Android 14, 15, 16, 17

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Technical ContextAI · show details

The vulnerability resides in libsimba.heifdec.media.samsung.so, a proprietary Samsung library that parses and decodes HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format) images, specifically the embedded cover image. HEIF is a container format based on HEVC, widely used for photos on mobile devices. The improper input validation in the cover-image parsing logic can lead to memory corruption, enabling arbitrary code execution in the context of the process that decodes the attacker-supplied HEIF file (e.g., a gallery, messaging, or browser app). Per the CVSS 4.0 vector, the attack is local (AV:L), requires no privileges (PR:N) and no user interaction (UI:N), and results in high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact (VC:H/VI:H/VA:H).

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Severity by source

Vendor (samsung) PRIMARY 8.6 HIGH
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
vuln.today AI 8.4 HIGH

Local decoder flaw triggered by crafted HEIF input with no auth or interaction, so AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N; arbitrary code execution gives full C/I/A impact with unchanged scope.

3.1 AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.0 AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

Primary rating from Vendor (samsung).

CVSS VectorVendor: samsung

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Attack Requirements
None
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Vulnerable system: Confidentiality
High
Vulnerable system: Integrity
High
Vulnerable system: Availability
High
Subsequent system: Confidentiality
None
Subsequent system: Integrity
None
Subsequent system: Availability
None

DescriptionCVE.org

Improper input validation in getting cover image in libsimba.heifdec.media.samsung.so prior to SMR Oct-2026 Release 1 allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

CVE-2026-21124 is a high-severity local code execution flaw in Samsung's HEIF decoder library that affects Samsung devices before the SMR Oct-2026 Release 1 security update. A crafted HEIF cover image can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected devices, creating operational and data-protection risk for users and the organization. No public exploit identified at time of analysis, and no vendor-released patch identified at time of analysis, so leadership should prioritize device inventory, interim image-handling restrictions, and rapid adoption of Samsung's fix when available.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

No vendor patch available; restrict processing of untrusted HEIF cover images, disable HEIF cover-image rendering where possible, block HEIF attachments at gateways, enforce sandboxing and least privilege, and monitor Samsung advisories for SMR Oct-2026 Release 1.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.2%
Top 94% exploitable
Prevalence
High
Samsung Galaxy Android devices are deployed at massive global scale
Social Media
1
Sightings
Data Quality
5 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 0.2%
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
Scheduled
Exploitation
None
System Exposure· derived
Small
Automatable
No
Human Impact
High
Technical Impact
Total

Priority Score

43
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +43
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.

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