Google Android 13.0 MediaCodec.cpp use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.
Current Exploit Price (≈)
Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.
CTI Interest Score
Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
6.4$5k-$25k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as problematic has been detected in Google Android 13.0. The impacted element is an unknown function of the file MediaCodec.cpp. The manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-21000. Local access is required to approach this attack. No exploit exists. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Google Android 13.0 (Smartphone Operating System). This issue affects some unknown functionality of the file MediaCodec.cpp. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In MediaCodec.cpp, there is a possible use after free due to improper locking. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-13Android ID: A-194783918

The weakness was disclosed 03/25/2023 as A-194783918. It is possible to read the advisory at source.android.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2023-21000 since 11/03/2022. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/07/2025). It is expected to see the exploit prices for this product increasing in the near future.

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2023-25168). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

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
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

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: 🔍

0-DayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
TodayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

11/03/2022 🔍
03/25/2023 +142 days 🔍
03/25/2023 +0 days 🔍
09/07/2025 +897 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: google.com

Advisory: A-194783918
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-21000 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-21000
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-223967
EUVD: 🔍
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20150917

Entryinfo

Created: 03/25/2023 09:02
Updated: 09/07/2025 16:37
Changes: 03/25/2023 09:02 (41), 04/15/2023 08:14 (11), 09/07/2025 16:37 (16)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Discussion

No comments yet. Languages: en.

Please log in to comment.

◂ PreviousOverviewNext ▸

Might our Artificial Intelligence support you?

Check our Alexa App!