The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting Samsung mobile devices to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, signaling active exploitation in the wild.
Tracked as CVE-2025-21042, this zero-day flaw resides in Samsung’s libimagecodec library. It could allow attackers to bypass security protections and execute arbitrary code directly on vulnerable devices.
| CVE ID | Product | Vulnerability Type | Affected Component | Impact | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2025-21042 | Samsung Mobile Devices | Out-of-Bounds Write | libimagecodec.quram.so | Remote Code Execution (RCE) | Critical |
The vulnerability stems from an out-of-bounds write weakness in the libimagecodec.quram.so library, a component responsible for processing image files on Samsung mobile devices.
Out-of-bounds write flaws are among the most dangerous vulnerability classes because they allow attackers to write data beyond the intended memory boundaries.
This type of weakness can corrupt critical memory structures, crash applications, or enable complete system compromise.
The flaw is classified under CWE-787, a common weakness enumeration category focusing on improper restriction of written data regions.
What makes CVE-2025-21042 particularly alarming is its remote exploitation capability. Attackers do not require physical access to devices or user interaction beyond minimal interaction with malicious content.
This means threat actors can craft specially designed image files that trigger the vulnerability when the library processes them.
Once successful, attackers gain code execution privileges equivalent to those of the vulnerable application, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, malware installation, or lateral movement within enterprise networks.
CISA has set the remediation deadline for this vulnerability as December 1, 2025, giving users just three weeks to apply security patches or implement protective measures.
The agency’s inclusion in the KEV catalog confirms active exploitation, though specific attack details remain limited. Currently, the vulnerability has not been confirmed as part of organized ransomware campaigns.
However, security researchers note that its remote code execution capability makes it valuable to attackers pursuing various objectives, including data exfiltration, cryptojacking, and ransomware deployment.
Samsung device users should prioritize immediate action to protect against exploitation.
The recommended steps include applying security patches from Samsung as soon as they become available, reviewing installed applications for suspicious activity, and monitoring device behavior for signs of compromise.
For enterprise users managing Samsung devices, security teams should implement additional controls, including network segmentation, activity monitoring, and device management policies, to restrict access to sensitive systems.
Organizations that use Samsung mobile devices in critical infrastructure or handle sensitive information face an elevated risk.
CISA has directed agencies to apply vendor-recommended mitigations immediately and follow relevant cybersecurity directives.
For cloud service providers, the agency cites Board Order (BOD) 22-01, which requires federal agencies to implement zero-trust security architectures. Suppose patches remain unavailable after the December 1 deadline.
In that case, organizations should consider discontinuing use of affected devices until comprehensive fixes are released.
As Samsung releases security patches, administrators should develop rapid deployment plans to reach all affected devices within their organization.
The technology landscape continues to face increasing pressure from sophisticated threat actors targeting mobile platforms as entry points into networks and personal systems.
Staying informed about emerging vulnerabilities and maintaining current security practices remains essential for protecting against evolving threats in today’s threat environment.
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