CVE-2021-0400 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2021-0400 vulnerability exists in injectBestLocation and handleUpdateLocation of GnssLocationProvider.java in Android 9, 10, and 11. It could result in the incorrect reporting of location data to emergency services due to improper input validation, potentially requiring user execution privileges for exploitation.

Understanding CVE-2021-0400

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2021-0400 vulnerability, its impact, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-0400?

CVE-2021-0400 involves a flaw in GnssLocationProvider.java that may lead to improper reporting of location data to emergency services without the need for user interaction, posing a risk of elevation of privilege.

The Impact of CVE-2021-0400

The vulnerability could allow an attacker with user privileges to manipulate location data sent to emergency services, potentially leading to false or compromised location information being reported.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-0400

This section covers the specific technical aspects of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, versions, and how it can be exploited.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in injectBestLocation and handleUpdateLocation can result in the incorrect reportage of location data to emergency services, necessitating immediate attention to prevent misuse.

Affected Systems and Versions

Android versions 9, 10, and 11 are susceptible to this vulnerability, making devices running these versions potentially at risk of location data manipulation.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to misreport location data to emergency services without user interaction, highlighting the significance of prompt remediation.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we focus on the steps to address CVE-2021-0400, including immediate actions to take, long-term security practices, and the significance of patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and organizations should prioritize updating affected Android devices to the latest available patches, enhancing the security posture and addressing the risk of location data manipulation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security practices, such as regular security audits, monitoring, and user awareness programs, can bolster defenses against similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Timely patching and software updates play a crucial role in mitigating CVE-2021-0400, underscoring the importance of staying informed about security advisories and applying patches promptly.