CVE-2021-28663
HighExploitedPublic exploitThe Arm Mali GPU kernel driver allows privilege escalation or information disclosure because GPU memory operations are mishandled, leading to a use-after-free.
Published May 10, 2021 · Updated Oct 14, 2026 · Also known as A-174259860, ASB-A-174259860
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2021-28663 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 8.8 v3.1) affecting Bifrost Gpu Kernel Driver (Arm), Midgard Gpu Kernel Driver (Arm), Valhall Gpu Kernel Driver (Arm) and 1 more product.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since May 3, 2021. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 12% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including :unknown: SoCVersion:2021-05-05, Bifrost Gpu Kernel Driver r29p0, Midgard Gpu Kernel Driver r31p0.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
8.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
12%
Higher than 96.1% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
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Description
The Arm Mali GPU kernel driver allows privilege escalation or information disclosure because GPU memory operations are mishandled, leading to a use-after-free. This affects Bifrost r0p0 through r28p0 before r29p0, Valhall r19p0 through r28p0 before r29p0, and Midgard r4p0 through r30p0.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Nov 3, 2021 | Nov 17, 2021 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | May 3, 2021 | Nov 17, 2021 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Nov 3, 2021 | Nov 17, 2021 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Nov 3, 2021 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
4 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Bifrost Gpu Kernel DriverArm | See advisory | r29p0 |
| Midgard Gpu Kernel DriverArm | See advisory | r31p0 |
| Valhall Gpu Kernel DriverArm | See advisory | r29p0 |
| :unknown:android | >= SoCVersion:0 | SoCVersion:2021-05-05 |
Patched Releases
:unknown:
SoCVersion:2021-05-05
Bifrost Gpu Kernel Driver
r29p0
Midgard Gpu Kernel Driver
r31p0
Valhall Gpu Kernel Driver
r29p0
Timeline
Added to Industry KEV feed
May 3, 2021
Publicly disclosed
May 10, 2021
Added to CISA KEV
Nov 3, 2021
Added to CIRCL KEV
Nov 3, 2021
Added to ENISA EUVD
Nov 3, 2021
Last updated
Oct 14, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-416 Use After Free
References
- advisoryhttps://developer.arm.com/support/arm-security-updates
- advisoryhttps://developer.arm.com/support/arm-security-updates/mali-gpu-kernel-driver
- advisoryhttps://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2021-05-01
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
- exploithttps://github.com/lntrx/CVE-2021-28663
FAQ
Common Questions.
The Arm Mali GPU kernel driver allows privilege escalation or information disclosure because GPU memory operations are mishandled, leading to a use-after-free.
Affected: Bifrost Gpu Kernel Driver (Arm); Midgard Gpu Kernel Driver (Arm); Valhall Gpu Kernel Driver (Arm), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since May 3, 2021.
Yes. It was added on Nov 3, 2021 with a federal remediation due date of Nov 17, 2021.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including :unknown: SoCVersion:2021-05-05, Bifrost Gpu Kernel Driver r29p0, Midgard Gpu Kernel Driver r31p0.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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