CVE-2021-0527
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Android's memory management driver allows local privilege escalation through memory corruption via use-after-free. Attackers can gain elevated privileges without user interaction or additional execution permissions. Affects Android devices with specific System-on-Chip (SoC) implementations.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android devices with specific SoC implementations
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete device compromise allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, install persistent malware, or access sensitive data.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing malicious apps to break out of sandbox and access system resources or other apps' data.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if devices are patched, have SELinux enforcing strict policies, and app sandboxing is properly implemented.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access but no user interaction; exploitation depends on specific SoC memory management implementation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: June 2021 Android Security Bulletin or later
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2021-06-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check for Android system updates in Settings > System > Advanced > System update. 2. Install June 2021 or later security patch. 3. Reboot device after installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
No effective workarounds
allThis is a kernel-level vulnerability requiring patching; no configuration changes can mitigate the core issue.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict physical access to devices and implement strict app installation policies
- Monitor for suspicious privilege escalation attempts using security monitoring tools
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android security patch level. If before June 2021, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Android security patch level shows June 2021 or later date in Settings > About phone.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs, unexpected privilege escalation in audit logs, SELinux denials for memory operations
Network Indicators:
- None (local exploitation only)
SIEM Query:
Search for: 'kernel panic', 'use-after-free', 'memory corruption' in system logs OR 'privilege escalation' in security logs