Google Android binder.c binder_transaction_buffer_release use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.4$5k-$25k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as problematic has been found in Google Android. Affected by this vulnerability is the function binder_transaction_buffer_release of the file binder.c. Executing a manipulation can lead to use after free. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2023-20938. The attack needs to be launched locally. No exploit is available. It is advisable to implement a patch to correct this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Google Android (Smartphone Operating System) (the affected version unknown) and classified as problematic. This vulnerability affects the function binder_transaction_buffer_release of the file binder.c. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In binder_transaction_buffer_release of binder.c, there is a possible use after free due to improper input validation. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-257685302References: Upstream kernel

The weakness was published 02/28/2023 as A-257685302. The advisory is shared for download at source.android.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2023-20938 since 11/03/2022. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $5k-$25k (estimation calculated on 09/05/2025). It is expected to see the exploit prices for this product increasing in the near future.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 243384 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-20938), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (243384) and EUVD (EUVD-2023-25106). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Name

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.4

VulDB Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Temp Score: 5.1
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.8
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: No

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 243384
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-20938

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

11/03/2022 🔍
02/28/2023 +117 days 🔍
02/28/2023 +0 days 🔍
09/05/2025 +920 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: google.com

Advisory: A-257685302
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-20938 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-20938
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-221980
EUVD: 🔍
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20150917

Entryinfo

Created: 02/28/2023 20:50
Updated: 09/05/2025 03:38
Changes: 02/28/2023 20:50 (41), 03/26/2023 11:01 (11), 08/06/2025 02:01 (17), 09/05/2025 03:38 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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