CVE-2021-25451 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A PendingIntent hijacking vulnerability in NetworkPolicyManagerService prior to SMR Sep-2021 Release 1 on Samsung Mobile Devices allows attackers to access IMSI data.

Understanding CVE-2021-25451

This CVE identifies a security flaw in Samsung Mobile Devices that could be exploited by attackers to retrieve sensitive IMSI data.

What is CVE-2021-25451?

The vulnerability, classified under CWE-287 (Improper Authentication), stems from a PendingIntent hijacking issue in NetworkPolicyManagerService, enabling threat actors to obtain IMSI data.

The Impact of CVE-2021-25451

With a low CVSS base score of 3.3, this vulnerability poses a low-severity risk. However, unauthorized access to IMSI data can compromise user confidentiality.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-25451

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit a PendingIntent hijacking flaw in NetworkPolicyManagerService to extract IMSI data from Samsung Mobile Devices.

Affected Systems and Versions

Samsung Mobile Devices running firmware versions P(9.0), Q(10.0), R(11.0) are impacted prior to SMR Sep-2021 Release 1.

Exploitation Mechanism

Threat actors can leverage this vulnerability locally, with no required privileges, but user interaction is necessary to carry out the attack.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are the steps to address and prevent the CVE-2021-25451 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should apply the SMR Sep-2021 Release 1 update promptly to mitigate the vulnerability and protect their IMSI data.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintain regular software updates on Samsung Mobile Devices to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities and security threats.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for and install security updates released by Samsung Mobile to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-25451.