CVE-2021-22416

Kernel code execution via undisclosed data-processing error

Published Aug 3, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Data-processing error in Huawei HarmonyOS 2.0 allows local users with low privileges to execute code in the operating-system kernel. Huawei has not published the affected component or the incorrect operation it performs on attacker-controlled data. Low-privileged local access is required, but no user interaction is needed; successful exploitation runs code in kernel context.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.20%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Data-processing error in Huawei HarmonyOS 2.0 allows local users with low privileges to execute code in the operating-system kernel. Huawei has not published the affected component or the incorrect operation it performs on attacker-controlled data. Low-privileged local access is required, but no user interaction is needed; successful exploitation runs code in kernel context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-22416
Published
Aug 3, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Product
HarmonyOS
Classifications
T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 3, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=2.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. · HarmonyOSversion=2.0

Published CVSS scores

7.2NIST NVDAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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