Samsung Mobile Devices: Use after free in WSM service allows local code execution
Summary
A use-after-free flaw in the WSM service of Samsung Mobile Devices can be exploited by a local attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code with system privileges. The attacker needs local access and a way to run code on the device first, for example through a malicious app. Successful exploitation would give full control over the affected phone or tablet, including any business data and apps on it.
Affected
- Samsung Mobile Devices on Android 14, 15, 16 and 17 before SMR Oct-2026 Release 1
- Specific Galaxy models and build numbers: Unknown.
Fixed in
- SMR Oct-2026 Release 1 (security patch level October 2026)
Workaround
- Unknown. No workaround is documented.
Exploitation
- No known exploitation in the wild. CISA SSVC lists exploitation as none and automatable as no. The CVE is not in CISA's KEV catalogue.
- No public proof of concept found at the time of research.
Our recommendation
- Roll out SMR Oct-2026 Release 1 to all Samsung Galaxy devices through MDM within the normal monthly patch cycle.
- Verify the security patch level on each device under Settings, Security software version.
- Check model support for each device and replace devices that will no longer receive security updates.
- Confirm the affected models in Samsung's security bulletin.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Samsung Mobile Security Bulletin October 2026 security.samsungmobile.com
- OpenCVE: CVE-2026-21120 app.opencve.io
- Vulners: CVE-2026-21120 vulners.com
- HOL Guard: CISA ADP VulnRichment for CVE-2026-21120 hol.org
- OffSeq Radar: CVE-2026-21120 radar.offseq.com
- eSecurityPlanet: Samsung October 2026 security update www.esecurityplanet.com
- Android Headlines: Samsung October 2026 security update www.androidheadlines.com
- eSecurityPlanet: Samsung Galaxy update support changes www.esecurityplanet.com
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 31 Oct 2026, 08:34.
Original description (NVD)
Use after free in WSM service prior to SMR Oct-2026 Release 1 allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code with system privilege.
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
Affected? We can help.
We check whether your systems are affected, install updates and close the gap – continuously with the System Health Checker if you wish.