CVE-2021-29256
HighExploitedPublic exploit.
Published May 24, 2021 · Updated Oct 14, 2026 · Also known as A-283489460, ASB-A-283489460
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2021-29256 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 Jul 5, 2023. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 3.0% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including :unknown: SoCVersion:2023-07-05, Bifrost Gpu Kernel Driver r30p0, 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)
3.0%
Higher than 87.1% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2021-29256 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
. The Arm Mali GPU kernel driver allows an unprivileged user to achieve access to freed memory, leading to information disclosure or root privilege escalation. This affects Bifrost r16p0 through r29p0 before r30p0, Valhall r19p0 through r29p0 before r30p0, and Midgard r28p0 through r30p0.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Jul 7, 2023 | Jul 28, 2023 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Jul 5, 2023 | Jul 28, 2023 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Jul 7, 2023 | Jul 28, 2023 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Jul 7, 2023 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if updates are unavailable.
Affected Products
4 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Bifrost Gpu Kernel DriverArm | See advisory | r30p0 |
| Midgard Gpu Kernel DriverArm | See advisory | r31p0 |
| Valhall Gpu Kernel DriverArm | See advisory | r30p0 |
| :unknown:android | >= SoCVersion:0 | SoCVersion:2023-07-05 |
Patched Releases
:unknown:
SoCVersion:2023-07-05
Bifrost Gpu Kernel Driver
r30p0
Midgard Gpu Kernel Driver
r31p0
Valhall Gpu Kernel Driver
r30p0
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
May 24, 2021
Added to Industry KEV feed
Jul 5, 2023
Added to CISA KEV
Jul 7, 2023
Added to CIRCL KEV
Jul 7, 2023
Added to ENISA EUVD
Jul 7, 2023
Last updated
Oct 14, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-416 Use After Free
References
- advisoryhttps://developer.arm.com/support/arm-security-updates/mali-gpu-kernel-driver
- advisoryhttps://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2023-07-01
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
- exploitVulnCheck exploitation report
- otherhttps://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-29256
FAQ
Common Questions.
.
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 Jul 5, 2023.
Yes. It was added on Jul 7, 2023 with a federal remediation due date of Jul 28, 2023.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including :unknown: SoCVersion:2023-07-05, Bifrost Gpu Kernel Driver r30p0, Midgard Gpu Kernel Driver r31p0.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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