Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-0477 is an Android local privilege escalation issue involving an unsafe PendingIntent in screenshot error notifications. An attacker already able to execute as a user on an affected device could bypass a permission boundary. The provided sources do not show active exploitation or a CVSS score.
Executive priority
Treat this as a moderate patching priority. It is not a remote takeover based on the provided evidence, but it could strengthen an attacker’s position after local code execution on an affected device.
Technical view
The issue is in notifyScreenshotError of ScreenshotNotificationsController.java. Android describes a possible permission bypass from an unsafe PendingIntent, leading to local escalation of privilege with User execution privileges. Affected versions listed are Android 8.1, 9, 10, and 11.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to Android 8.1, 9, 10, or 11 devices missing the relevant May 2021 Android security update or vendor-equivalent patch.
Exploitation context
The source says exploitation requires local User execution privileges and no user interaction. The provided KEV flag is false, and no provided source states active exploitation.
Researcher notes
Key facts are sparse: no CVSS, CWE, proof-of-concept, or detailed fix text is provided. Track Android ID A-178189250 and validate remediation through Android security patch level or OEM bulletin mapping.
Mitigation direction
- Apply the relevant Android May 2021 security update or vendor-equivalent patch.
- Prioritize managed Android 8.1, 9, 10, and 11 devices.
- Retire or isolate devices that cannot receive vendor security updates.
- Check OEM advisories for device-specific patch availability and timing.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Android devices by OS version and security patch level.
- Confirm affected devices have the May 2021 or later relevant Android security patch.
- Review EMM/MDM compliance data for unpatched Android 8.1-11 devices.
- Document unsupported devices that cannot be remediated through normal updates.
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.
CVE-2021-0477 mapping review
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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.