CVE-2026-21077: Samsung Health Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2026-21077 Overview

CVE-2026-21077 is an incorrect authorization vulnerability in Samsung Health prior to version 7.0.0. The flaw allows local attackers to access sensitive information stored or handled by the application. The weakness is classified under [CWE-863] Incorrect Authorization, where the application performs an authorization check but fails to enforce it correctly. Successful exploitation compromises the confidentiality of user health data without requiring privileges or user interaction. Samsung addressed the issue in its August 2026 security update.

Critical Impact
Local attackers can bypass authorization controls in Samsung Health to read sensitive user information without any prior privileges or user interaction.

Affected Products

Samsung Health versions prior to 7.0.0
Samsung mobile devices running vulnerable Samsung Health builds
Android environments where Samsung Health is installed as a system or user app

Discovery Timeline

2026-08-10 - CVE-2026-21077 published to NVD
2026-08-10 - Last updated in NVD database
August 2026 - Samsung releases security patch through Samsung Mobile Security Update

Technical Details for CVE-2026-21077

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from an incorrect authorization check within Samsung Health versions prior to 7.0.0. The application exposes functionality or data pathways that should be restricted to the authenticated user or privileged system callers. Instead, the authorization logic fails to validate the caller's identity or entitlement correctly. A local attacker with access to the device can invoke the affected component and retrieve sensitive information belonging to the Samsung Health user. The attack requires only local access, no privileges, and no user interaction, which broadens the pool of viable attackers on a compromised or shared device.

Root Cause

The root cause is an authorization control flaw categorized as [CWE-863] Incorrect Authorization. Samsung Health enforces an access decision that does not correctly restrict access to protected resources. The check may be present but incomplete, or it may accept caller-supplied context that should not be trusted. This allows a local process or app to reach data it should not be able to access.

Attack Vector

Exploitation is local. An attacker requires the ability to run code or interact with the Samsung Health application on the target device. This typically means a malicious application installed on the same device, or an attacker with physical access. Because no user interaction is required, a background app can perform the exploitation silently. The impact is limited to confidentiality; integrity and availability are not affected. Refer to the Samsung Mobile Security Update for vendor-provided technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-21077

Indicators of Compromise

Installation of Samsung Health versions below 7.0.0 on managed mobile devices
Unexpected inter-process communication (IPC) to Samsung Health components from non-Samsung applications
Unknown or sideloaded applications requesting access to health-related content providers or exported services

Detection Strategies

Inventory mobile devices to identify installations of Samsung Health prior to 7.0.0
Monitor mobile application logs for anomalous access patterns to Samsung Health exported components
Use mobile threat defense telemetry to flag applications that query health data outside expected workflows

Monitoring Recommendations

Track Samsung Health version compliance across managed device fleets through MDM reporting
Alert on installation of unvetted third-party apps on devices that also run Samsung Health
Review Samsung Mobile Security Update bulletins monthly to catch related mobile CVEs

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-21077

Immediate Actions Required

Update Samsung Health to version 7.0.0 or later on all affected devices
Apply the August 2026 Samsung Mobile Security Update through the device's system update channel
Audit installed applications on devices running Samsung Health and remove untrusted apps

Patch Information

Samsung addressed CVE-2026-21077 in Samsung Health version 7.0.0. Details are published in the Samsung Mobile Security Update for August 2026. Users should update through the Google Play Store or Galaxy Store to receive the fixed version.

Workarounds

Restrict installation of untrusted or sideloaded applications on devices that run Samsung Health
Enforce device-level access controls such as screen locks and biometric authentication to limit local attacker access
Consider temporarily disabling or uninstalling Samsung Health on high-risk devices until the update is applied

bash

# Verify Samsung Health version on a managed Android device via ADB
adb shell dumpsys package com.sec.android.app.shealth | grep versionName