Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This flaw affected specific Samsung Exynos mobile devices before the June 2021 Samsung security maintenance release. It matters mainly after a device already has a serious kernel-level compromise, where the bug could help an attacker create executable kernel memory outside the intended code area.
Executive priority
Medium priority for most organizations, higher where legacy Samsung Exynos devices handle sensitive data or remain unmanaged. The issue has serious kernel implications, but the cited attack condition requires prior EL1 compromise and the source bundle gives no active exploitation evidence.
Technical view
CVE-2021-25416 is an improper address validation issue in Samsung RKP. The source states that, assuming EL1 is compromised, a local attacker could create an executable kernel page outside the code area. Affected devices are Android Q and R Samsung devices using Exynos 9610, 9810, 9820, or 9830 before SMR JUN-2021 Release 1.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to older Samsung Mobile Devices on Android 10 or 11 with listed Exynos chipsets that did not receive SMR JUN-2021 Release 1 or later. Current managed fleets are most exposed if they retain legacy, unpatched Samsung devices.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show active exploitation, KEV listing, public exploit status, or CVSS scoring. The stated attack condition assumes EL1 is already compromised, so this is best treated as a post-compromise hardening and chain-risk issue, not a standalone remote entry point.
Researcher notes
Focus on RKP address validation and kernel executable memory policy on affected Exynos platforms. The public source bundle lacks CVSS, proof-of-concept details, and model-specific fixed build numbers, so avoid overclaiming impact beyond the stated local post-EL1-compromise condition.
Mitigation direction
- Apply Samsung SMR JUN-2021 Release 1 or later to affected devices.
- Inventory Samsung Exynos 9610, 9810, 9820, and 9830 devices.
- Retire or isolate devices that cannot receive vendor security updates.
- Check Samsung guidance for exact fixed builds and model-specific availability.
Validation and detection
- Verify Android security patch level through MDM or device settings.
- Confirm chipset and OS version for Samsung Android 10 and 11 devices.
- Compare device patch status against Samsung June 2021 security bulletin coverage.
- Review fleet exceptions for unsupported or unmanaged Samsung devices.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CWE-94: Code execution behavior lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-25416 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://security.samsungmobile.com/securityUpdate.smsb?year=2021&month=6CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.