CVE-2021-0326 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 02/10/2021
In p2p_copy_client_info of p2p.c, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote code execution if the target device is performing a Wi-Fi Direct search, with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-10 Android-11 Android-8.1 Android-9Android ID: A-172937525
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-0326 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the Android Wi-Fi Direct implementation, specifically affecting the p2p_copy_client_info function in the p2p.c source file. This issue resides in the Android operating system's peer-to-peer networking stack, which is responsible for managing Wi-Fi Direct connections between devices. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper bounds checking when processing client information during peer discovery operations, creating a scenario where malicious data could be written beyond the allocated memory boundaries. The affected Android versions span from Android 8.1 through Android 11, indicating this flaw has persisted across multiple generations of the mobile operating system and affects a substantial portion of devices in the field. The vulnerability's classification as a potential remote code execution vector is particularly concerning given that it can be triggered without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction, making it highly exploitable in real-world scenarios.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write conditions in software implementations. This flaw operates within the context of the Android Wi-Fi Direct subsystem, which is designed to enable devices to establish direct connections without requiring a traditional wireless access point. When a device is actively participating in a Wi-Fi Direct search operation, it processes incoming peer information from other devices in the vicinity. The missing bounds check in p2p_copy_client_info function means that an attacker can craft malicious peer information that, when processed by the vulnerable Android device, will overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the context of the Wi-Fi Direct service, which typically runs with elevated privileges due to its role in managing network connections. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be initiated remotely through the standard Wi-Fi Direct discovery mechanisms without requiring the target device to interact with any malicious content or perform any specific actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of Android's peer-to-peer networking capabilities. Attackers could potentially use this flaw to gain unauthorized access to devices participating in Wi-Fi Direct networks, potentially leading to data theft, device takeover, or further exploitation within the local network environment. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require user interaction, which means that simply having a device in range of an attacker's malicious Wi-Fi Direct device could result in compromise. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for execution through wireless networks, as it leverages the inherent wireless communication capabilities of the device to deliver malicious payloads. The attack surface is broad since Wi-Fi Direct functionality is enabled by default on most Android devices and is frequently used in various applications including file sharing, printing, and device pairing scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment through official Android security updates, as Google has addressed this issue in subsequent security releases. Organizations and users should prioritize updating their Android devices to versions containing the fix, which typically includes proper bounds checking in the p2p_copy_client_info function. Network administrators should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous Wi-Fi Direct activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in wireless networking components, particularly the necessity of bounds checking in all memory operations. The fix likely involves implementing proper input validation and buffer size verification before copying client information, ensuring that the destination buffer can accommodate the incoming data without overflow. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing additional runtime protections such as stack canaries or address space layout randomization to make exploitation more difficult even if the underlying bounds check is bypassed. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical security considerations required in mobile operating system networking components, where the combination of wireless communication and peer-to-peer networking creates unique attack vectors that require careful security hardening.