CVE-2021-0612 in MT6580
Summary
by MITRE • 09/27/2021
In m4u, there is a possible memory corruption due to a use after free. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS05403499; Issue ID: ALPS05425834.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-0612 resides within the m4u component of a mobile operating system, specifically affecting Android-based devices. This memory corruption flaw represents a critical security weakness that could potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges locally on a compromised device. The issue manifests as a use after free condition, which occurs when a program continues to reference memory that has already been freed, creating opportunities for malicious code execution and system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only system execution privileges for exploitation, meaning that an attacker with limited access could leverage this flaw to gain higher privileges within the system. Security researchers have identified this issue through internal analysis and have assigned it a patch identifier ALPS05403499 along with an associated issue identifier ALPS05425834, indicating it was addressed in a specific software update cycle.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the m4u subsystem, which is responsible for memory management unit operations in mobile processors. When the system processes memory allocation and deallocation requests, a race condition or improper pointer handling allows for memory blocks to be accessed after they have been freed from the heap. This use after free condition creates a predictable memory layout that malicious code can exploit to execute arbitrary instructions with elevated privileges. The flaw exists in the kernel-level memory management functions that handle memory mapping operations, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at the system's most privileged level. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-416, which describes the use after free condition, and the ATT&CK framework would classify this under privilege escalation techniques using memory corruption exploits.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-0612 extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it represents a potential gateway for more sophisticated attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain root access to the device, enabling them to install malicious applications, extract sensitive data, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous for automated exploitation campaigns, as it can be triggered silently during normal device operations. The vulnerability affects devices running specific versions of Android where the m4u component has not been patched, potentially impacting millions of users across various device manufacturers who rely on the affected software stack. This flaw demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in kernel-level components and highlights how seemingly minor programming errors can create significant security risks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-0612 focus primarily on applying the vendor-provided patch identified as ALPS05403499, which addresses the underlying memory management issues within the m4u subsystem. Device manufacturers should prioritize rolling out security updates to affected users as quickly as possible, as the vulnerability remains exploitable until patched. System administrators and security teams should monitor for the patch deployment and verify successful installation across all affected devices within their environment. Additional protective measures include implementing runtime monitoring for suspicious memory access patterns and ensuring proper memory sanitization practices are in place. Organizations should also consider network-level detection measures that can identify potential exploitation attempts through anomalous system behavior patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular security assessments of kernel components and the importance of adhering to secure coding practices that prevent use after free conditions and other memory corruption vulnerabilities. Security teams should also implement proper incident response procedures to quickly address any potential exploitation attempts and conduct thorough post-incident analysis to understand the full scope of impact.