Exploited vulnerability · CISA KEV

Is CVE-2021-25489 exploited? Yes: in CISA KEV since 29 Jun 2023

Gociux · Samsung Mobile Devices · data: CISA KEV, CVE record, FIRST EPSS

Yes. CVE-2021-25489, Samsung Mobile Devices Improper Input Validation Vulnerability, is being exploited in the wild. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 29 Jun 2023, 631 days after it was published. It affects Samsung Mobile Devices. If you run it, CISA's required action is: Apply updates per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if updates are unavailable.

exploitedYesCISA KEV · 29 Jun 2023

ransomwareNot knownno confirmed use

EPSSbelow top 10%lower predicted activity right now (it is still confirmed exploited)

severity3.3CVSS 3.1 · low

US federal due20 Jul 2023BOD 22-01 deadline

What it is

Samsung mobile devices contain an improper input validation vulnerability within the modem interface driver that results in a format string bug leading to kernel panic.

Vendor	Samsung (15 exploited CVEs in KEV)
Product	Mobile Devices
Vulnerability	Samsung Mobile Devices Improper Input Validation Vulnerability
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	6 Oct 2021
Added to KEV	29 Jun 2023
Reported by (CNA)	Samsung Mobile

What to do

Check whether you run it. Look for Mobile Devices in your asset inventory, including appliances and cloud images. Stack check lists every exploited Samsung CVE at once.
Apply the fix. Apply updates per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if updates are unavailable
If you can't patch today, take the affected service off the internet or restrict who can reach it, and check its logs for signs of compromise since 6 Oct 2021.
Get told next time. Email alerts when CISA adds a CVE for Samsung.

Other exploited CVEs in Mobile Devices

CVE-2025-21042: Samsung Mobile Devices Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability (10 Nov 2025)
CVE-2025-21043: Samsung Mobile Devices Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability (2 Oct 2025)
CVE-2022-22265: Samsung Mobile Devices Use-After-Free Vulnerability (18 Sep 2023)
CVE-2021-25487: Samsung Mobile Devices Out-of-Bounds Read Vulnerability (29 Jun 2023)
CVE-2021-25394: Samsung Mobile Devices Race Condition Vulnerability (29 Jun 2023)
CVE-2021-25395: Samsung Mobile Devices Race Condition Vulnerability (29 Jun 2023)

References

Questions

Is CVE-2021-25489 being exploited?

Yes. CISA added CVE-2021-25489 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 29 Jun 2023, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild.

Is CVE-2021-25489 used in ransomware attacks?

CISA does not list known ransomware use for it. That can change, and exploitation alone is reason to fix it first.

How do I fix CVE-2021-25489?

Apply updates per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if updates are unavailable Check Samsung's advisory for the fixed versions, and if you can't patch quickly, restrict access to the affected Mobile Devices and watch it for signs of compromise.

Sources: CISA KEV (exploitation, ransomware use, required action, due date), the CVE record (publication date, CVSS, CNA), NVD and FIRST EPSS (live score). More: all KEV additions in June 2023 · Samsung scorecard · act-now radar.

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