CVE-2021-0497 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-183461320
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-0497 resides within the memory management driver component of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android SoC implementations. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that stems from improper memory handling practices within the kernel-level memory management subsystem. The issue manifests as a use after free condition, which occurs when the system attempts to access memory that has already been deallocated and potentially reallocated for other purposes. Such memory corruption vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, fundamentally compromising system integrity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the realm of memory safety issues, specifically categorized under CWE-416 Use After Free, which is a well-documented weakness in software security. The flaw exists in the kernel memory management driver where memory allocation and deallocation routines fail to properly track memory references, creating opportunities for malicious code to manipulate freed memory regions. This particular implementation error allows an attacker to corrupt memory structures that are essential for maintaining system security boundaries and privilege levels. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation means that an attacker with minimal privileges can leverage this flaw to gain root access to the system, effectively bypassing all security controls that rely on privilege separation.
From an operational perspective, the exploitation of CVE-2021-0497 presents a severe threat to Android device security since it requires no user interaction and can be triggered through normal system operations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect entire fleets of devices running vulnerable Android versions, particularly those utilizing affected SoC implementations. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited automatically without the need for social engineering or user deception tactics. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent backdoors, extract sensitive data, or manipulate system behavior in ways that would normally be restricted to privileged processes.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying timely security updates from device manufacturers and Google, as the fix typically involves patching the memory management driver to properly handle memory deallocation and reference tracking. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management programs to ensure all affected devices receive security updates promptly. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network security controls such as intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor for suspicious memory corruption behaviors, while endpoint protection solutions should be updated to include signatures for detecting exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature also underscores the importance of secure coding practices and regular security audits of kernel components, particularly those handling memory management operations, to prevent similar issues from emerging in future implementations.