CVE-2021-39660

Local privilege escalation via kernel race condition

Published Dec 13, 2022 · Updated Apr 22, 2025

A race condition in the PowerVR GPU kernel component on Android SoC allows local users to execute arbitrary kernel code and escalate privileges. Public records do not identify the affected function or explain which shared-resource operation lacks synchronization. Exploitation requires local low-privileged access, no user interaction, and winning a high-complexity race; success grants kernel-level control.

CVSS severity7.0
High
EPSS probability0.07%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A race condition in the PowerVR GPU kernel component on Android SoC allows local users to execute arbitrary kernel code and escalate privileges. Public records do not identify the affected function or explain which shared-resource operation lacks synchronization. Exploitation requires local low-privileged access, no user interaction, and winning a high-complexity race; success grants kernel-level control.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-39660
Published
Dec 13, 2022
Updated
Apr 22, 2025
Vendor
Imagination Technologies
Product
PowerVR GPU
Classifications
CWE-362, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 13, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 22, 2025Record 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=Android SoC

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Imagination Technologies · PowerVR GPUversion=Android SoC

Published CVSS scores

7.0NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.0CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/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

CWE-362Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization ('Race Condition')
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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