Samsung Mobile Devices: Improper input validation in HEIF cover image handling
Summary
Improper input validation when extracting cover images in the libsimba.heifdec.media.samsung.so library affects Samsung Mobile Devices prior to SMR Oct-2026 Release 1. A local attacker may be able to execute arbitrary code, for example via a crafted image file processed on the device. Exploitation requires local access, and no known exploitation exists at the time of writing.
Affected
- Samsung Mobile Devices on Android 14, 15, 16 and 17, as listed in the CNA record
- Devices with firmware older than SMR Oct-2026 Release 1
- Affected component: libsimba.heifdec.media.samsung.so
Fixed in
- SMR Oct-2026 Release 1
- Check under Settings, Security software version
- Specific build numbers: Unknown.
Workaround
- Unknown. No vendor workaround has been published.
- Enforce the October 2026 update via MDM.
Exploitation
- No known exploitation in the wild.
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, not automatable, total technical impact.
- VulDB: no public exploit or technical details available.
- EPSS: 0.00174.
Our recommendation
- Check the security software version on managed devices and enforce SMR Oct-2026 Release 1 via MDM.
- Prioritise unpatched devices that handle sensitive data.
- Review the Samsung advisory for the full list of fixed items and affected models.
- Re-check NVD and CISA KEV, as NVD analysis is still pending.
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-2026-21124 app.opencve.io
- Vulners: CVE-2026-21124 vulners.com
- VulDB: CVE-2026-21124 (416821) vuldb.com
- Android Headlines: Samsung October 2026 security update www.androidheadlines.com
- Vulners EUVD-2026-97188 vulners.com
- Strix: CVE-2026-21124 www.strix.ai
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 1 Nov 2026, 08:52.
Original description (NVD)
Improper input validation in getting cover image in libsimba.heifdec.media.samsung.so prior to SMR Oct-2026 Release 1 allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code.
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.
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