CVE-2021-0885
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an integer overflow vulnerability in the PowerVR kernel driver for Android devices, allowing local attackers to gain escalated privileges without user interaction. It affects Android devices using specific PowerVR GPU hardware. The vulnerability enables out-of-bounds heap access that could lead to complete device compromise.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android devices with PowerVR GPU hardware
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full device compromise with root privileges, allowing installation of persistent malware, data theft, and complete control over the device.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to bypass application sandboxes, access sensitive data, and install malicious applications.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if devices are patched, but unpatched devices remain vulnerable to local attacks.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access to the device. The vulnerability is in kernel space, making exploitation more complex but feasible for skilled attackers.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Android Security Bulletin April 2023
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2023-04-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check for Android system updates in device settings. 2. Apply the April 2023 security patch or later. 3. Reboot the device after installation. 4. Verify the patch is applied by checking the security patch level.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
No effective workarounds
allThis is a kernel-level vulnerability that requires patching at the driver level. No configuration changes or user-level workarounds can mitigate this vulnerability.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict physical access to devices and limit installation of untrusted applications
- Implement application allowlisting and monitor for suspicious privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android version. If patch level is before April 2023, device may be vulnerable.Check Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify security patch level shows April 2023 or later in device settings. Check with device manufacturer for specific PowerVR driver version information.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- Unexpected privilege escalation attempts in system logs
- PowerVR driver crash reports
Network Indicators:
- No network indicators - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel panic events or privilege escalation attempts in Android device logs