CVE-2026-21027 Overview
CVE-2026-21027 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Samsung Android devices caused by improper export of an application component in the ImsSettings package. The flaw allows a local attacker with low privileges to invoke an internal logging function that should not be reachable from third-party applications. Samsung addressed the issue in the SMR Jun-2026 Release 1 security maintenance update. The vulnerability is categorized as a mobile application component exposure issue under [CWE-NVD-CWE-Other].
Critical Impact
A locally installed application can invoke an unintentionally exported Android component in ImsSettings to trigger an internal logging routine, potentially exposing diagnostic information to unprivileged callers.
Affected Products
- Samsung Android 14.0 prior to SMR Jun-2026 Release 1
- Samsung Android 15.0 prior to SMR Jun-2026 Release 1
- Samsung Android 16.0 prior to SMR Jun-2026 Release 1
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-05 - CVE-2026-21027 published to NVD
- 2026-06-06 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-21027
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the ImsSettings system application on Samsung Android builds. Samsung exposed one or more Android components (activity, service, receiver, or provider) without declaring proper signature-level permissions or setting android:exported="false". As a result, any local application installed on the device can issue an Intent targeting the exposed component and reach internal code paths reserved for system use. In this case, the reachable path executes a logging function that was intended only for privileged callers or internal debugging.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper export configuration of Android application components within the ImsSettings package. Samsung shipped the component manifest entry without restrictive android:permission, android:exported, or signature-level access controls. This violates Android's component exposure best practices and allows cross-application invocation of functionality intended to be internal to the IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) telephony stack.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local code execution on the device, typically via a malicious or compromised third-party application holding only standard install-time permissions. The attacker crafts an explicit Intent referencing the vulnerable ImsSettings component and dispatches it through standard Android APIs such as startActivity, startService, or sendBroadcast. No user interaction is required, and the exploitation complexity is low. The reachable logging function may write diagnostic data that could be observed by the attacker or impact device telephony state.
No public proof-of-concept code, exploit, or in-the-wild exploitation has been reported for CVE-2026-21027.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-21027
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected Intent traffic from non-system applications targeting the ImsSettings package on Samsung devices.
- Anomalous entries in Samsung IMS or telephony debug logs originating from unprivileged UIDs.
- Installation of low-reputation third-party APKs that statically reference ImsSettings component names.
Detection Strategies
- Use mobile threat defense tooling to inspect installed APKs for explicit component references to Samsung ImsSettings exported components.
- Monitor enterprise device fleets for Samsung devices running pre-SMR Jun-2026 R1 patch levels via MDM compliance policies.
- Review Android dumpsys package output for ImsSettings components and verify the patch level matches or exceeds the Jun-2026 SMR.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Track Samsung security patch level (ro.build.version.security_patch) across managed devices and flag any device below June 2026.
- Alert on sideloaded applications, particularly on corporate-owned Samsung Android 14, 15, or 16 devices.
- Correlate telephony-related crash or log events with recently installed third-party applications to detect abuse attempts.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-21027
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the Samsung SMR Jun-2026 Release 1 firmware update to all affected Samsung Android 14, 15, and 16 devices.
- Enforce MDM compliance rules requiring the June 2026 or later Samsung security patch level before granting access to corporate resources.
- Restrict installation of applications from untrusted sources via Knox or Android Enterprise policy.
Patch Information
Samsung released the fix in the SMR Jun-2026 Release 1 maintenance update. Update details are documented in the Samsung Mobile Security Update bulletin. Verify the device patch level under Settings → About phone → Software information and confirm the security patch level is dated June 2026 or later.
Workarounds
- Limit application installation to vetted enterprise app stores until the patch is applied.
- Disable sideloading and developer options on managed devices via MDM configuration profiles.
- Apply Samsung Knox application allow-listing where available to block untrusted applications from issuing Intent calls.
# Verify Samsung Android security patch level via ADB
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# Expected output for patched devices: 2026-06-01 or later
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
