CVE-2021-0446 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Android's ImportVCardActivity in Android-11 is vulnerable to a tapjacking/overlay attack, allowing for local privilege escalation. User interaction is required for exploitation.

Understanding CVE-2021-0446

This CVE involves a potential elevation of privilege vulnerability in Android-11.

What is CVE-2021-0446?

CVE-2021-0446 is a security flaw in Android's ImportVCardActivity that could be exploited through a tapjacking/overlay attack, leading to unauthorized local privilege escalation.

The Impact of CVE-2021-0446

The vulnerability could allow an attacker to bypass user consent, potentially resulting in the escalation of privileges on the local device. Successful exploitation requires user interaction.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-0446

This section provides insights into the vulnerability's description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in ImportVCardActivity presents a path for attackers to bypass user consent, utilizing a tapjacking/overlay technique to achieve local privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Android-11 is confirmed to be affected by this vulnerability, requiring immediate attention and mitigation efforts from users and developers.

Exploitation Mechanism

For exploitation, threat actors can leverage a tapjacking/overlay attack within ImportVCardActivity to manipulate user interactions and escalate privileges locally.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard against CVE-2021-0446, immediate actions, security best practices, and patching are essential.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should exercise caution while interacting with unexpected or potentially malicious content to prevent exploitation. Install security updates promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintain vigilance against social engineering attacks and consistently update device software to address known vulnerabilities and bolster security measures.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security patches and updates from Android to address CVE-2021-0446 and other security concerns.