CVE-2025-21068 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability classified under CWE-125, discovered in Samsung Notes, a note-taking application pre-installed on Samsung mobile devices. The flaw occurs during the processing of image data within the application, where the software reads memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This can lead to the disclosure of adjacent memory contents, which may include sensitive information or cause application instability. The vulnerability is exploitable only by local attackers who have access to the device, as it requires no privileges or user interaction, making remote exploitation infeasible. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.0, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N, meaning local attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, unchanged scope, no confidentiality impact, limited integrity impact, and no availability impact. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet, though the issue is fixed in Samsung Notes version 4.4.30.63 and later. The vulnerability primarily threatens the integrity of the application by allowing memory content leakage, which could be leveraged for further attacks or data leakage. Since the flaw requires local access, it is particularly relevant in environments where multiple users share devices or where devices may be physically accessible to attackers.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-21068 lies in potential unauthorized disclosure of memory contents on Samsung mobile devices running vulnerable versions of Samsung Notes. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or availability, the out-of-bounds read can expose sensitive information stored in memory, potentially aiding attackers in crafting further attacks or gaining insights into application internals. Organizations with mobile device management policies that allow shared device usage or insufficient physical security controls are at higher risk. The vulnerability could also lead to application crashes or instability, disrupting user productivity. Given the widespread use of Samsung devices across Europe, especially in enterprise and government sectors, this vulnerability could affect a significant number of endpoints. However, the requirement for local access limits the attack surface primarily to insiders or attackers with physical device access, reducing the likelihood of large-scale exploitation. Nonetheless, the exposure of sensitive memory data could have compliance and data protection implications under regulations such as GDPR if personal or confidential information is leaked.

European organizations should prioritize updating Samsung Notes to version 4.4.30.63 or later as soon as the patch becomes available to remediate the vulnerability. Until patches are deployed, organizations should enforce strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized local access to devices, including locking devices when unattended and using strong authentication mechanisms. Mobile device management (MDM) solutions should be configured to restrict installation of unapproved applications and monitor device usage for suspicious activity. Additionally, organizations should educate users about the risks of sharing devices and encourage the use of secure note-taking alternatives if sensitive data is involved. Regular audits of device software versions and configurations can help identify vulnerable devices. For high-security environments, consider disabling or restricting the use of Samsung Notes until the vulnerability is patched. Finally, monitoring for unusual application crashes or memory-related errors may help detect exploitation attempts.