Use-after-free in ARM products - CVE-2021-29256

Vulnerability identifier: #VU77971

CSH Severity: High

CVSS v4: 8.5 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]

CVE-ID: CVE-2021-29256

CWE-ID: CWE-416

Exploitation vector: Local access

Exploit availability: The vulnerability is being exploited in the wild

The vulnerability allows a local application to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to improper operations on GPU memory. A local application can trigger a use-after-free error and execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.

Bifrost GPU Kernel Driver
Valhall GPU Kernel Driver
Midgard GPU Kernel Driver
Google Android

Install update from vendor's website.

Bifrost GPU Kernel Driver - update to r30p0
Valhall GPU Kernel Driver - update to r30p0
Midgard GPU Kernel Driver - update to r31p0
Google Android - addressed in versions 11 2023-07-05, 12L 2023-07-05, 12 2023-07-05, 13 2023-07-05

• https://developer.arm.com/Arm%20Security%20Center/Mali%20GPU%20Driver%20Vulnerabilities#CVE-2021-29256
• https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/2023-07-01

• Privilege escalation in Mali GPU kernel driver
• Multiple vulnerabilities in Google Android