CVE-2021-0533
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a memory corruption vulnerability in Android's memory management driver caused by a race condition. It allows local attackers to escalate privileges without requiring user interaction or additional execution privileges. The vulnerability 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 system compromise where an attacker gains root privileges, potentially installing persistent malware, accessing all user data, and bypassing all security controls.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to gain elevated permissions, potentially accessing sensitive data or performing unauthorized actions within the device.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if devices are patched, have strict app sandboxing, and minimal local attack surface.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and knowledge of race condition timing. No public exploit code is known, but the vulnerability is serious due to no user interaction requirement.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Android security patch level June 2021 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 > System update. 2. Apply the June 2021 security patch or later. 3. Reboot the device after installation. 4. Verify patch installation in Settings > About phone > Android security patch level.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
No effective workarounds
allThis is a kernel-level driver vulnerability that cannot be mitigated through configuration changes or workarounds.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected devices from sensitive networks and data
- Implement strict app installation policies and only allow trusted applications
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android security patch level. If date is 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 in Settings > About phone > Android security patch level.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- Memory corruption errors in dmesg
- Unexpected privilege escalation attempts
Network Indicators:
- No network indicators - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
No specific SIEM query as this is local exploitation without network traffic