CVE-2023-21055 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2023
In dit_hal_ioctl of dit.c, there is a possible use after free due to a race condition. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-244301523References: N/A
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-21055 resides within the dit_hal_ioctl function in the dit.c kernel driver component of Android systems. This represents a critical security flaw that manifests as a use-after-free condition stemming from an inherent race condition in the driver's implementation. The flaw occurs when the kernel driver processes ioctl commands related to the dit_hal functionality, creating a temporal window where memory objects become invalid while still being referenced by ongoing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic race condition scenario where multiple execution paths within the kernel driver can access shared resources without proper synchronization mechanisms. When the dit_hal_ioctl function handles specific input/output control commands, it fails to maintain adequate locking or validation procedures that would prevent concurrent access patterns leading to memory deallocation followed by subsequent access attempts. This race condition creates a window where an attacker can manipulate the system state to cause the kernel to free memory that is subsequently accessed, resulting in undefined behavior and potential code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends to local privilege escalation scenarios where an attacker with system execution privileges can leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges within the kernel space. While the vulnerability requires existing system execution capabilities for exploitation, the privilege escalation potential represents a significant security risk as it allows attackers to move from a standard user context to full kernel-level control. This enables malicious actors to bypass security boundaries, access protected system resources, and potentially compromise the entire device integrity. The implications are particularly severe in Android environments where kernel-level access can provide complete control over device functionality and data protection mechanisms.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-416 which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits. The lack of user interaction requirements for exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged automatically without requiring social engineering or additional attack vectors. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper synchronization mechanisms within the kernel driver, including mutex locks or other atomic operations to prevent race conditions, and ensuring comprehensive memory management practices that prevent premature deallocation of resources. Additionally, regular kernel updates and security patches should be prioritized to address such vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in the wild, as the Android kernel's security model relies heavily on proper implementation of these low-level driver functions to maintain system integrity and user data protection.