# CVE-2026-21138: Samsung Smart Switch improper authorization in app installation

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-21138-insufficient-verification-of-data-authenticity-in-smart-switch  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-10-12. Updated: 2026-10-16  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-21138 · Severity: info · Published 2026-10-12

Samsung Smart Switch is a mobile application that manages data and settings across Samsung devices. A vulnerability allows physical attackers to bypass security controls and install unauthorized applications on a device, potentially compromising device security and user data without proper authorization checks.

Technologies: [Samsung Smart Switch](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/smart-switch). Vendors: [Samsung](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/samsung).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-21138 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-21138 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-21138?** Informational severity, published 12 October 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Samsung Smart Switch prior to 3.7.73.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-21138?** Yes: fixed in 3.7.73. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-21138 attacked?** It is attacked with physical access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-21138?** Check whether you run Samsung Smart Switch at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- Fixed in 3.7.73

## Technical details

Improper authorization in Smart Switch prior to version 3.7.73 fails to adequately verify the authenticity of application data, allowing physical attackers with access to the device to install arbitrary applications. The vulnerability requires physical access to the device to exploit. A fix is available in version 3.7.73 which adds proper authorization checks.

## Affected products

- Samsung Smart Switch prior to 3.7.73

## Timeline

- 2026-10-12: disclosed

## References

- [https://security.samsungmobile.com/serviceWeb.smsb?year=2026&month=10](https://security.samsungmobile.com/serviceWeb.smsb?year=2026&month=10)

## Related threats

- [Samsung Smart Switch arbitrary application installation via physical access](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-21137-path-traversal-in-smart-switch-prior-to-version-3-7-73-allows)
- [Samsung Smart Switch improper authorization allows app installation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-21136-improper-authorization-in-smart-switch-prior-to-version-3-7-73)
- [Improper input validation in Smart Switch prior to version 3.7.72.6 allows adjacent attackers to access sensitive data.](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-21083-improper-input-validation-in-smart-switch-prior-to-version-3-7-72)
- [Cleartext storage of sensitive information in Smart Switch prior to version 3.7.72.6 allows adjacent attackers to access sensitive data.](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-21080-cleartext-storage-of-sensitive-information-in-smart-switch-prior)
- [Missing encryption of sensitive data in Smart Switch prior to version 3.7.72.6 allows adjacent attackers to intercept transmitted data.](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-21079-missing-encryption-of-sensitive-data-in-smart-switch-prior-to)