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CVE-2021-28663

Arm Mali Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Use-After-Free

8.8 HIGHActively exploited (CISA KEV)Public exploitEPSS 12.1%
  1. Published10 May 2021
  2. Added to CISA KEV3 Nov 2021
  3. Remediation due17 Nov 2021
Actively exploited (CISA KEV)

Arm Mali Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) kernel driver contains a use-after-free vulnerability that may allow a non-privileged user to make improper operations on GPU memory to gain root privilege, and/or disclose information.

Added to KEV: 3 Nov 2021Federal remediation due: 17 Nov 2021

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.

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorNetwork
Attack complexityLow
Privileges requiredLow
User interactionNone
ScopeUnchanged
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

Arm Bifrost Gpu Kernel Driver≥ r0p0 < r29p0
Arm Midgard Gpu Kernel Driver≥ r4p0 < r31p0
Arm Valhall Gpu Kernel Driver≥ r19p0 < r29p0

Remediation

Fixed in
Arm Bifrost Gpu Kernel Driver≥ r29p0
Arm Midgard Gpu Kernel Driver≥ r31p0
Arm Valhall Gpu Kernel Driver≥ r29p0

References

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Frequently asked

Is CVE-2021-28663 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2021-28663 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 3 Nov 2021.

How severe is CVE-2021-28663?

CVE-2021-28663 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8, rated high. EPSS estimates a 12.1% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2021-28663?

Affected products include Arm Bifrost Gpu Kernel Driver, Arm Midgard Gpu Kernel Driver, Arm Valhall Gpu Kernel Driver.

How do I fix CVE-2021-28663?

Upgrade affected software to a fixed version, for example Arm Bifrost Gpu Kernel Driver r29p0, Arm Midgard Gpu Kernel Driver r31p0, Arm Valhall Gpu Kernel Driver r29p0 or later, then confirm no affected versions remain in your inventory.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-28663 against the real software inventory on every managed device, as each hourly inventory arrives. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, a risk for it never ranks below high, and the update that fixes it moves to the Emergency patch lane. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.