CVE-2025-21045 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-922, indicating insecure storage of sensitive information on Samsung Galaxy Watch devices released before the SMR Oct-2025 Release 1 update. This flaw allows local attackers—those with physical or local access to the device—to retrieve sensitive data stored insecurely on the watch. The vulnerability does not require any privileges or user interaction to exploit, but the attacker must have local access to the device. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.0, reflecting a medium severity primarily due to confidentiality impact only, with no integrity or availability consequences. The attack vector is local (AV:L), with low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction needed (UI:N). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), meaning the vulnerability affects only the device itself and does not propagate to other components. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patches or firmware updates are currently linked, though Samsung’s SMR Oct-2025 Release 1 is expected to address this issue. The vulnerability highlights the risk of sensitive data exposure through improper storage mechanisms on wearable devices, which may include personal health data, authentication tokens, or other confidential information. This flaw underscores the importance of secure data storage practices on IoT and wearable devices, especially those used in enterprise or regulated environments.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-21045 lies in the potential exposure of sensitive information stored on Samsung Galaxy Watch devices. This could include personal health data, corporate credentials, or other confidential information that, if accessed by unauthorized local actors, may lead to privacy violations or facilitate further attacks. The vulnerability does not affect device integrity or availability, so operational disruption is unlikely. However, in sectors such as healthcare, finance, or government where data confidentiality is paramount, the risk of data leakage could have regulatory and reputational consequences under GDPR and other privacy laws. The requirement for local access limits remote exploitation but raises concerns in scenarios where devices are lost, stolen, or accessed by insiders. Organizations with policies allowing wearable device use in sensitive environments should consider this vulnerability a moderate risk. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate threat levels but does not eliminate the need for proactive mitigation, especially as the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks or physical compromise scenarios.

1. Ensure all Samsung Galaxy Watch devices are updated promptly to the SMR Oct-2025 Release 1 or later firmware once available, as this update is expected to address the insecure storage issue. 2. Implement strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized local access to wearable devices, including secure storage when not in use and policies restricting device sharing. 3. Enforce device encryption and strong authentication mechanisms on paired smartphones and watches to limit data exposure if devices are lost or stolen. 4. Educate employees about the risks of leaving wearable devices unattended and the importance of reporting lost or stolen devices immediately. 5. Consider disabling or limiting sensitive data storage on wearable devices in high-security environments until patches are applied. 6. Monitor for unusual access patterns or attempts to access device data locally, integrating wearable device security into broader endpoint protection strategies. 7. Collaborate with Samsung support channels to obtain timely updates and security advisories related to this vulnerability.