# CVE-2023-21516: Cross-site scripting in Galaxy Store

> Attackers can execute JavaScript via InstantPlay to install APKs, potentially compromising user devices through the Samsung Galaxy Store.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 26 May 2023
- **Updated:** 15 Jan 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-q3ph-6xgh-hmgq

## What is CVE-2023-21516?

CVE-2023-21516 is a high-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in Samsung Mobile Galaxy Store, published on 26 May 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

XSS vulnerability from InstantPlay in Galaxy Store prior to version 4.5.49.8 allows attackers to execute javascript API to install APK from Galaxy Store.

Weakness: CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation), CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-21516?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Samsung Galaxy Store.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-21516?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-21516 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-21516 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-21516 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Samsung Mobile Galaxy Store

- [CVE-2023-21433](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-21433/): Missing authorization in Galaxy Store (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2022-33708](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-33708/): Privilege escalation in Galaxy Store (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2022-33709](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-33709/): Improper input validation vulnerability in ApexPackageInstaller in Galaxy Store prior to version 4.5.41.8 allows local attackers to launch a (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2022-33710](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-33710/): Privilege escalation in Galaxy Store (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2023-42580](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-42580/): Code injection in Galaxy Store (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-21516 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-21516 is a high-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in Samsung Mobile Galaxy Store, published on 26 May 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-21516 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Samsung Mobile Galaxy Store. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-21516/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-21516/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-21516
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-21516
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-21516

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-21516/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.