CVE-2021-0496 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 06/11/2021
In memory management driver, there is a possible memory corruption due to a use after free. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android SoCAndroid ID: A-183467912
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-0496 resides within the memory management driver component of Android operating systems, representing a critical security flaw that could be exploited for privilege escalation. This issue manifests as a use after free condition, a common yet dangerous class of memory corruption vulnerability that occurs when a program continues to reference memory after it has been freed, creating potential for arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The vulnerability affects Android SoC implementations and is tracked under Android ID A-183467912, indicating its severity and the need for immediate attention from device manufacturers and security teams.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from improper memory management within the kernel-level driver responsible for handling memory allocation and deallocation processes. When the system frees memory but fails to properly invalidate references to that memory location, subsequent operations may attempt to access the freed memory, leading to unpredictable behavior. This use after free condition can be exploited by malicious code to overwrite critical data structures or function pointers, ultimately allowing an attacker to escalate privileges from a regular user context to system level access. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require any user interaction or additional execution privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged silently by attackers with minimal prerequisites.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-0496 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, potentially enabling full system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain root access to affected devices, allowing them to modify system files, install malicious applications, monitor user activities, and access sensitive information stored on the device. The local nature of the exploitation means that an attacker with physical access to a device or the ability to run code in a low-privilege context could immediately leverage this vulnerability to achieve system-level control. This presents significant risks for enterprise environments where mobile devices may be compromised, as well as personal devices that could be targeted for data theft or surveillance operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment from device manufacturers, as the Android security team has likely released updates addressing this specific memory management flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management programs that include regular security updates, device monitoring, and incident response procedures. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use after free conditions, and could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as kernel module signing, memory protection mechanisms, and runtime monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that may exist within the system's memory management subsystems.