CVE-2021-0592 – This vulnerability in Android's WideVine DRM co... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2021-0592?

CVE-2021-0592 has a CVSS score of 8.8 (HIGH). This vulnerability in Android's WideVine DRM component allows remote code execution through out-of-bounds writes when processing malicious media content. Attackers could take full control of affected Android devices by tricking users into playing specially crafted media files. All Android devices with vulnerable WideVine implementations are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability in Android's WideVine DRM component allows remote code execution through out-of-bounds writes when processing malicious media content. Attackers could take full control of affected Android devices by tricking users into playing specially crafted media files. All Android devices with vulnerable WideVine implementations are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Android devices with WideVine DRM

Versions: Android SoC versions before July 2021 security patch

Operating Systems: Android

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Affects devices using WideVine for DRM-protected content playback

📦 What is this software?

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⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete device compromise allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or join botnets without user knowledge.

🟠

Likely Case

Malicious apps exploiting the vulnerability to gain elevated privileges and bypass Android's security sandbox.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if devices are patched and users avoid untrusted media sources.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM

🏢 Internal Only: LOW

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires user interaction (playing malicious media) but no authentication

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: July 2021 Android Security Patch Level or later

Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2021-07-01

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Check for Android system updates in Settings > System > System update. 2. Install July 2021 or later security patch. 3. Restart device after installation.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable automatic media playback

android

Prevent automatic playback of media files from untrusted sources

Use trusted media sources only

all

Only play media from official app stores and trusted websites

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Isolate vulnerable devices from critical networks
Implement application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized app installation

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android security patch level. If before July 2021, device is vulnerable.

Check Version:

adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify Android security patch level shows July 2021 or later date.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

WideVine process crashes
Unexpected media player behavior
SELinux denials related to WideVine

Network Indicators:

Downloads of unusual media files from untrusted sources
Suspicious media streaming patterns

SIEM Query:

process_name:"mediaserver" AND (event_type:crash OR abnormal_exit)

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2021-0592

CVSS v3 Score: 8.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-787

Published: July 14, 2021

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2021-07-01 Vendor Advisory
https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2021-07-01 Vendor Advisory

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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