CVE-2023-21166

Kernel code execution via freed reservation object

Published Dec 4, 2023 · Updated Oct 11, 2024

Use-after-free in the PowerVR GPU driver in Google Android DDK 23.1 and earlier allows local users to execute code in the kernel. RGXBackingZSBuffer dereferences a freed psReservation object when PVRSRVBridgeRGXPopulateZSBuffer processes crafted GPU system calls. A non-privileged installed application can reach the driver without user interaction and escalate to kernel privileges on devices containing the affected PowerVR component.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability0.41%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in the PowerVR GPU driver in Google Android DDK 23.1 and earlier allows local users to execute code in the kernel. RGXBackingZSBuffer dereferences a freed psReservation object when PVRSRVBridgeRGXPopulateZSBuffer processes crafted GPU system calls. A non-privileged installed application can reach the driver without user interaction and escalate to kernel privileges on devices containing the affected PowerVR component.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-21166
Published
Dec 4, 2023
Updated
Oct 11, 2024
Vendor
Google
Product
Android
Classifications
T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 4, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 11, 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=Android SoC

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Google · Androidversion=Android SoC

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/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
PrivilegesUnavailable
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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