CVE-2026-21106 Overview
CVE-2026-21106 is an improper intent verification vulnerability in Samsung Cloud Assistant prior to version 9.0.5. A broadcast receiver in the application fails to properly validate incoming intents. Local attackers can exploit this weakness to disable enhanced data protection settings on affected devices. The flaw is categorized under [CWE-925: Improper Verification of Intent by Broadcast Receiver] and requires local access with no privileges or user interaction.
Critical Impact
Local applications on affected Samsung devices can send crafted intents to Samsung Cloud Assistant to disable enhanced data protection settings without user consent.
Affected Products
- Samsung Cloud Assistant prior to version 9.0.5
- Samsung mobile devices with Samsung Cloud Assistant installed
- Android environments where the affected application is preinstalled or sideloaded
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-09-09 - CVE-2026-21106 published to NVD
- 2026-09-10 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-21106
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in a broadcast receiver component within Samsung Cloud Assistant. Broadcast receivers listen for system-wide or application-specific intents and execute logic in response. When a receiver fails to verify the origin, action, or contents of an intent, any local application can trigger privileged behavior by sending a crafted broadcast.
In this case, the receiver processes intents that toggle enhanced data protection settings. Because the receiver does not enforce sender verification or signature-level permissions, a malicious local application can dispatch an intent that disables the protection. The result is a downgrade of security posture on the device without the user's knowledge or approval.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient validation in the broadcast receiver's intent handling logic. The component should verify the sender's identity, enforce a signature-level permission, or restrict the receiver to internal use through android:exported="false". None of these controls prevent the improper intent flow prior to version 9.0.5.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires a local, unprivileged application installed on the target device. The attacker's application constructs an intent targeting the vulnerable broadcast receiver and sends it through standard Android inter-process communication. No user interaction is required. The impact is limited to disabling enhanced data protection settings, which reduces confidentiality and integrity guarantees for cloud-synced data.
No public proof-of-concept exploit is currently listed for this CVE. See the Samsung Security Update Information for vendor technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-21106
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected changes to Samsung Cloud Assistant's enhanced data protection settings without user action.
- Presence of unknown third-party applications that request no permissions but interact with Samsung system components.
- Log entries showing broadcast intents targeting Samsung Cloud Assistant receivers from non-Samsung package identifiers.
Detection Strategies
- Audit installed applications on managed Samsung devices for unsigned or unverified packages that could send local intents.
- Monitor mobile device management (MDM) compliance reports for changes in cloud data protection state.
- Use mobile threat defense telemetry to flag applications that enumerate or interact with Samsung Cloud Assistant components.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Track the installed version of Samsung Cloud Assistant across the fleet and alert when versions below 9.0.5 are present.
- Correlate configuration drift in enhanced data protection settings with recently installed applications.
- Review Samsung's monthly security bulletins for related mobile advisories.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-21106
Immediate Actions Required
- Update Samsung Cloud Assistant to version 9.0.5 or later through the Galaxy Store.
- Verify that enhanced data protection settings remain enabled after updating.
- Remove untrusted third-party applications from affected devices, particularly those installed outside official app stores.
Patch Information
Samsung addressed this vulnerability in Samsung Cloud Assistant version 9.0.5. Details are published in the Samsung Security Update Information for September 2026. Apply the update through the Galaxy Store or through MDM-managed application distribution channels.
Workarounds
- Restrict application installation to vetted sources by disabling installation from unknown sources.
- Enforce MDM policies that block sideloading and require application allow-listing on corporate devices.
- Periodically verify enhanced data protection settings on Samsung Cloud Assistant until the patched version is deployed.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
