Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Android NFC flaw could allow remote code execution without user interaction on Android 8.1, 9, 10, and 11. The source describes a double free caused by uninitialized data in the NFC Type 3 Tag processing path. No active exploitation evidence is provided.
Executive priority
Prioritize this as a high-risk legacy Android exposure, especially for fleets retaining Android 8.1 through 11. The business action is patch verification and retirement planning, not panic response, because exploitation is not confirmed in the provided evidence.
Technical view
CVE-2021-0473 is in rw_t3t_process_error of rw_t3t.cc. The reported issue is a possible double free due to uninitialized data, with potential remote code execution over NFC and no added privileges. The bundle lists Android 8.1 through 11 as affected.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to Android devices on affected versions whose vendor patch level does not include the May 2021 Android security fixes. The bundle does not identify specific OEM models, chipset dependencies, or patched build numbers.
Exploitation context
The provided sources state remote code execution over NFC is possible and user interaction is not needed. They do not provide exploit details, public exploit evidence, or KEV listing. Treat active exploitation as unconfirmed from this bundle.
Researcher notes
Evidence is concise: Android reports a double free in NFC Type 3 Tag error handling with RCE potential. No CVSS, CWE, exploit maturity, affected device matrix, or code-fix detail is included in the supplied bundle.
Mitigation direction
- Apply the relevant Android May 2021 security update or later vendor-provided security patch.
- Check OEM or carrier advisories for device-specific patch availability and fixed builds.
- Prioritize legacy Android devices with NFC capability for patch verification.
- Retire or isolate devices that cannot receive applicable vendor security updates.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Android 8.1, 9, 10, and 11 devices in managed fleets.
- Confirm each device security patch level includes the May 2021 Android bulletin fixes.
- Check OEM advisories for CVE-2021-0473 coverage on specific device models.
- Flag NFC-capable legacy devices without verified patch coverage for remediation.
- Monitor Android and CVE sources for updated exploitation or remediation information.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
Execution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-0473 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2021-05-01CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.