CVE-2026-21083 Overview
CVE-2026-21083 is an improper input validation vulnerability [CWE-20] in Samsung Smart Switch prior to version 3.7.72.6. The flaw allows adjacent network attackers to access sensitive data handled by the application. Smart Switch is Samsung's mobile data transfer utility used to migrate content between devices.
Exploitation requires attacker positioning on the same local network segment as the target device and some user interaction. Samsung addressed the issue in the August 2026 security maintenance release.
Critical Impact
An adjacent attacker can read sensitive data transferred or processed by Smart Switch on vulnerable versions, undermining confidentiality of device migration operations.
Affected Products
- Samsung Smart Switch versions prior to 3.7.72.6
- Mobile devices running vulnerable Smart Switch builds
- Environments where Smart Switch is used for data migration over shared networks
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-08-10 - CVE-2026-21083 published to NVD
- 2026-08-10 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-21083
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of input processed by Samsung Smart Switch. An attacker on an adjacent network can craft input that the application accepts without proper sanitization or bounds checking. The result is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data handled during Smart Switch operations.
The issue is scoped to confidentiality. Integrity and availability of the target system are not affected according to the published CVSS 4.0 vector. Exploitation requires user interaction on the victim device, which limits opportunistic attacks but does not eliminate risk on shared Wi-Fi networks.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper input validation [CWE-20] in Smart Switch code paths that process data received from adjacent network peers. Samsung has not published detailed technical analysis of the affected component. Refer to the Samsung Security Update Announcement for vendor-supplied details.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is adjacent network, meaning the attacker must reside on the same broadcast domain or logical network as the target. Typical scenarios include shared corporate Wi-Fi, hotel networks, or public hotspots. The attacker interacts with Smart Switch's network-facing surface and induces the victim to perform an action such as accepting a transfer prompt. Successful exploitation returns sensitive data to the attacker without triggering privilege changes on the device.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-21083
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected Smart Switch pairing or transfer prompts on mobile devices when no migration is in progress
- Outbound Smart Switch protocol traffic to unknown peers on local Wi-Fi segments
- Installed Smart Switch versions below 3.7.72.6 on managed mobile endpoints
Detection Strategies
- Inventory mobile devices and enumerate Smart Switch versions through mobile device management (MDM) reporting
- Monitor wireless network telemetry for Smart Switch discovery broadcasts originating outside expected migration windows
- Correlate device pairing events with user activity to identify unsolicited transfer attempts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on installations of Smart Switch builds older than 3.7.72.6 across the mobile fleet
- Log and review guest and BYOD Wi-Fi traffic for anomalous peer-to-peer data transfers
- Track user reports of unexpected Smart Switch prompts and treat them as potential exploitation attempts
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-21083
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Samsung Smart Switch to version 3.7.72.6 or later on all managed devices
- Instruct users to avoid running Smart Switch on untrusted or public Wi-Fi networks
- Enforce mobile application update policies through MDM to prevent rollback to vulnerable versions
Patch Information
Samsung released the fix in the August 2026 Samsung Mobile Security Maintenance Release. Upgrading Smart Switch to version 3.7.72.6 or later remediates the vulnerability. See the Samsung Security Update Announcement for release details.
Workarounds
- Disable or uninstall Smart Switch on devices that do not require migration functionality
- Restrict Smart Switch usage to isolated networks or wired transfer modes when possible
- Segment guest Wi-Fi from corporate mobile devices to reduce adjacent-network exposure
# Verify Smart Switch version via ADB on a connected Samsung device
adb shell dumpsys package com.sec.android.easyMover | grep versionName
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
