CVE-2021-0486 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A detailed overview of CVE-2021-0486 focusing on the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2021-0486

This section provides insights into the vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-0486 in Android.

What is CVE-2021-0486?

The CVE-2021-0486 vulnerability exists in onPackageAddedInternal of PermissionManagerService.java in Android, potentially enabling access to external storage through a permissions bypass. This flaw could result in a local privilege escalation, requiring only User execution privileges without the need for user interaction.

The Impact of CVE-2021-0486

The impact of CVE-2021-0486 could lead to a local escalation of privilege, posing a security risk to affected Android versions, specifically Android-10 and Android-11.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-0486

This section delves into the technical aspects of CVE-2021-0486, covering vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows unauthorized access to external storage due to a permissions bypass in Android's onPackageAddedInternal of PermissionManagerService.java.

Affected Systems and Versions

Android versions 10 and 11 are impacted by CVE-2021-0486, potentially exposing devices running these versions to the vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of CVE-2021-0486 does not require user interaction and can lead to local privilege escalation within the affected Android versions.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section focuses on immediate steps to take and long-term security practices to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-0486.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is recommended to apply security patches provided by Android to address CVE-2021-0486 and prevent potential exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Ensuring regular security updates, implementing least privilege access, and monitoring application permissions can enhance long-term security against vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-0486.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating Android devices to the latest firmware versions that include security patches is crucial to safeguard against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-0486.