CVE-2021-0883 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 04/19/2023
In PVRSRVBridgeCacheOpQueue of the PowerVR kernel driver, a missing size check means there is a possible integer overflow that could allow out-of-bounds heap access. 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-270395013
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-0883 resides within the PowerVR kernel driver's PVRSRVBridgeCacheOpQueue function, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of Android devices. This issue manifests as a missing size validation check that creates conditions ripe for integer overflow exploitation, fundamentally compromising the kernel's memory management mechanisms. The vulnerability affects Android SoC implementations where the PowerVR graphics processing unit serves as the primary graphics driver component.
The technical implementation flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the kernel driver's cache operation queue mechanism, specifically failing to properly validate the size parameter before performing arithmetic operations that could result in integer overflow. When malicious input exceeds the expected parameter boundaries, the overflow condition creates unpredictable memory access patterns that can be leveraged to corrupt heap memory structures. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-190, which categorizes integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it enables local privilege escalation without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction for exploitation. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges within the kernel space, effectively bypassing the standard security boundaries that normally protect the Android operating system from unauthorized access. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically during normal device operation without any explicit user involvement.
The exploitability of CVE-2021-0883 aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes local privilege escalation through kernel vulnerabilities. This vulnerability exists within the kernel driver layer, making it an ideal target for attackers seeking to elevate their privileges to root level access. The flaw specifically targets the PowerVR driver's cache management functionality, which is critical for graphics processing operations on Android devices, making the exploitation impact widespread across affected hardware platforms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of security patches provided by device manufacturers, as well as monitoring for any anomalous kernel behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should implement kernel module integrity checking mechanisms to prevent unauthorized modifications to the PowerVR driver components. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing runtime application protection measures that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting integer overflow conditions in kernel space operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in kernel-level code and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of graphics driver components within mobile operating systems.