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CVE-2021-0963 : Security Advisory and Response

Discover the impact of CVE-2021-0963, a privilege escalation vulnerability in Android's KeyChainActivity.java affecting versions 9, 10, 11, and 12 due to tapjacking/overlay attacks.

Android KeyChainActivity.java in Android versions 9, 10, 11, and 12 has a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to use an app certificate stored in the keychain, leading to local privilege escalation via tapjacking/overlay attack.

Understanding CVE-2021-0963

This CVE identifies a privilege elevation vulnerability in Android KeyChainActivity.java that affects versions 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is CVE-2021-0963?

The CVE-2021-0963 vulnerability in Android's KeyChainActivity.java allows attackers to exploit a tapjacking/overlay attack to access an app certificate stored in the keychain. By leveraging this flaw, threat actors can escalate privileges locally without requiring additional execution permissions, albeit user interaction is necessary for successful exploitation.

The Impact of CVE-2021-0963

This vulnerability poses a significant risk as it could potentially enable threat actors to elevate their privileges on the affected Android versions (9, 10, 11, 12) through a tapjacking/overlay attack. If successfully exploited, the attacker could gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or perform malicious actions on the targeted device.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-0963

The technical details of CVE-2021-0963 include:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability originates in the onCreate function of KeyChainActivity.java in Android operating systems 9, 10, 11, and 12, allowing attackers to misuse an app certificate stored in the keychain via tapjacking/overlay attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Android versions 9, 10, 11, and 12 are affected by this privilege escalation flaw present in KeyChainActivity.java.

Exploitation Mechanism

Threat actors can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating user interactions to trigger a tapjacking/overlay attack, enabling them to gain unauthorized access to app certificates stored in the keychain and consequently escalate their privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems against CVE-2021-0963, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

        Update the affected Android devices to the latest patched versions.
        Be cautious while granting app permissions and interacting with unknown interfaces.

Long-Term Security Practices

        Regularly install security updates and patches issued by Android to address known vulnerabilities.
        Implement app vetting procedures to mitigate the risk of malicious apps exploiting system vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and bulletins released by Android to promptly apply patches and updates that address vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-0963.

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