CVE-2021-0883 – This CVE describes an integer overflow vulnerab... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2021-0883?

CVE-2021-0883 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes an integer overflow vulnerability in the PowerVR kernel driver for Android devices. It allows local attackers to gain escalated privileges without user interaction, potentially taking full control of affected devices. The vulnerability affects Android devices using PowerVR graphics hardware.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes an integer overflow vulnerability in the PowerVR kernel driver for Android devices. It allows local attackers to gain escalated privileges without user interaction, potentially taking full control of affected devices. The vulnerability affects Android devices using PowerVR graphics hardware.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Android devices with PowerVR graphics hardware

Versions: Android versions prior to April 2023 security patches

Operating Systems: Android

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects devices with PowerVR GPU hardware. Most modern Android devices use other GPU vendors.

📦 What is this software?

Android by Google

View all CVEs affecting Android →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete device compromise with root privileges, allowing installation of persistent malware, data theft, and bypassing of all security controls.

🟠

Likely Case

Local privilege escalation enabling attackers to bypass app sandboxing, access sensitive data from other apps, and install malicious apps with elevated permissions.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if devices are fully patched, have SELinux enforcing mode, and app sandboxing is properly implemented.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local access to device. No public exploit code available as of knowledge cutoff.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: April 2023 Android Security Bulletin or later

Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2023-04-01

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Check for Android system updates in Settings > System > System update. 2. Install April 2023 or later security patch. 3. Reboot device after installation.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable unnecessary local access

android

Restrict physical and USB debugging access to devices

adb shell settings put global adb_enabled 0

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict physical access to vulnerable devices
Disable USB debugging and developer options

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android version > Security patch level. If before April 2023, device is vulnerable.

Check Version:

adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify security patch level shows April 2023 or later date.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic logs
SELinux denials related to PowerVR driver
Unexpected privilege escalation attempts

Network Indicators:

None - local exploit only

SIEM Query:

source="android_kernel" AND ("PowerVR" OR "PVRSRV") AND ("panic" OR "oops" OR "segfault")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2021-0883

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

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

CWE: CWE-190

Published: April 19, 2023

Last Updated: February 5, 2025

🔗 References

https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2023-04-01 Vendor Advisory
https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2023-04-01 Vendor Advisory

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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