CVE-2021-0701 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the PowerVR kernel driver in Android could allow an attacker to locally escalate privileges without requiring additional execution privileges. This could lead to out-of-bounds heap access due to a missing size check in the PVRSRVBridgeSyncPrimOpCreate function.

Understanding CVE-2021-0701

This section provides insights into the impact and technical details of CVE-2021-0701.

What is CVE-2021-0701?

CVE-2021-0701 is a vulnerability within the PowerVR kernel driver in Android that allows for local escalation of privilege without the need for additional execution privileges. The issue arises from a missing size check, potentially leading to out-of-bounds heap access.

The Impact of CVE-2021-0701

The impact of this vulnerability is the potential for malicious actors to exploit the lack of size check in the PowerVR kernel driver, granting them escalated privileges within the system. This could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data or further compromise of the affected device.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-0701

In this section, we delve into the specific technical aspects of CVE-2021-0701.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from a missing size check in the PVRSRVBridgeSyncPrimOpCreate function of the PowerVR kernel driver. This oversight could trigger an integer overflow, leading to out-of-bounds heap access.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects devices running the Android operating system with an Android SoC. These systems are susceptible to the privilege escalation issue within the PowerVR kernel driver.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2021-0701 does not require user interaction. An attacker can leverage the integer overflow triggered by the missing size check to perform out-of-bounds heap access and escalate their privileges locally.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-0701 and enhance system security, consider the following mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and administrators should prioritize the following immediate actions:

Monitor official security bulletins for patch releases.
Apply relevant security updates promptly.
Restrict access to critical system functions.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the following long-term security practices to fortify system defenses:

Conduct regular security assessments and audits.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and potential threats.
Employ defense-in-depth strategies to mitigate vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about patch releases and updates related to CVE-2021-0701. Regularly update systems and apply security patches to eliminate the vulnerability and safeguard against potential exploits.