CVE-2026-21014 Overview
CVE-2026-21014 is an improper access control vulnerability in the Samsung Camera application affecting versions prior to 16.5.00.28. The flaw allows a local attacker to access location data that should otherwise be restricted. Exploitation requires user interaction, limiting the attack to scenarios where a user is induced to trigger the vulnerable code path. Samsung addressed the issue in its April 2026 security maintenance release.
Critical Impact
A local attacker can obtain device location data from the Samsung Camera app, undermining user privacy and exposing geolocation history.
Affected Products
- Samsung Camera versions prior to 16.5.00.28
- Samsung Galaxy devices shipping the affected Camera application
- Android builds bundling vulnerable Samsung Camera releases
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-04-13 - CVE-2026-21014 published to NVD
- 2026-04-16 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-21014
Vulnerability Analysis
The Samsung Camera application enforces insufficient access controls around location data exposed through its internal interfaces. A local attacker with limited privileges on the device can interact with the Camera app to retrieve location information that should require explicit user consent or stricter scoping. The vulnerability is categorized under [NVD-CWE-noinfo] because Samsung has not published a specific weakness classification.
The attack confidentiality impact is high, while integrity and availability remain unaffected. Location telemetry, including coordinates embedded in photo metadata or session state, becomes accessible to unauthorized callers on the same device.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper access control on a Camera component handling location data. The application does not consistently validate the caller's permissions before returning geolocation values. Without proper authorization checks, a co-resident application or local user can request the data through the exposed interface.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local access to the device and user interaction, such as launching the Camera or approving a prompt the attacker engineered. A malicious application installed on the device can leverage the flaw to harvest precise location data without holding the standard Android location permission. Remote exploitation is not possible because the attack vector is strictly local.
No public proof-of-concept code is available. Refer to the Samsung Security Advisory for vendor-supplied technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-21014
Indicators of Compromise
- Installed Samsung Camera package with version below 16.5.00.28
- Third-party applications invoking Camera intents shortly before unexpected location queries
- Unexplained access to image EXIF GPS metadata by applications lacking location permissions
Detection Strategies
- Inventory mobile devices and flag those running Samsung Camera versions earlier than 16.5.00.28
- Audit installed applications for unusual interactions with the Samsung Camera content providers or intents
- Review mobile device management (MDM) reports for devices missing the April 2026 Samsung security patch level
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable MDM compliance rules that alert when devices fall behind on Samsung monthly security updates
- Monitor application behavior analytics for apps requesting Camera-related intents alongside location data exfiltration patterns
- Track outbound network traffic from mobile endpoints for transmission of geolocation data to untrusted destinations
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-21014
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Samsung Camera to version 16.5.00.28 or later through the Galaxy Store or system updates
- Apply the April 2026 Samsung mobile security maintenance release on all managed Galaxy devices
- Restrict installation of untrusted third-party applications that could chain this flaw with social engineering
Patch Information
Samsung released a fix in Camera version 16.5.00.28 as part of the April 2026 Samsung Mobile Security update. Details are documented in the Samsung Security Advisory. Administrators should confirm patch deployment through device security patch level reporting.
Workarounds
- Revoke location permission from the Samsung Camera application until the patch is installed
- Disable location services globally on affected devices when high-sensitivity use cases apply
- Educate users to avoid approving Camera prompts triggered by unfamiliar applications
# Verify Samsung Camera version on a connected device via ADB
adb shell dumpsys package com.sec.android.app.camera | grep versionName
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
