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CVE Record

CVE-2021-0491: In memory management driver, there is a possible escalation of privilege due to a missing permission check.

In memory management driver, there is a possible escalation of privilege due to a missing permission check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android SoCAndroid ID: A-183461315

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-0491 is an Android SoC memory-management driver issue that could let local code gain higher privileges because a permission check was missing. The public bundle does not provide CVSS, exploit evidence, or detailed affected device lists, so urgency depends on whether your Android fleet includes the relevant SoC updates.

Executive priority

Treat this as a mobile fleet hygiene issue with uncertain severity. Prioritize confirmation of patch status on Android devices that access corporate data, especially unsupported or unmanaged devices. Escalate only if affected unpatched devices are found in sensitive roles.

Technical view

The CVE describes a missing permission check in an Android memory management driver, resulting in possible local escalation of privilege. The Android ID is A-183461315. Sources state no user interaction and no additional execution privileges are required, but do not provide exploit details, CWE mapping, CVSS, or device-specific applicability.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Android devices using affected Android SoC components that have not received the relevant May 2021 Android security bulletin updates. The provided sources do not identify specific handset models, vendors, kernels, or SoC manufacturers.

Exploitation context

No provided source or KEV listing supports active exploitation. The described attack class is local privilege escalation, not remote compromise. Practical risk is higher where untrusted apps or local code can run on unpatched affected devices.

Researcher notes

Public evidence is sparse. The strongest facts are local EoP, missing permission check, Android SoC scope, Android ID A-183461315, and no user interaction requirement. Do not infer a specific driver name, exploit chain, affected OEM, or patch implementation from this bundle alone.

Mitigation direction

  • Review the Android May 2021 security bulletin for CVE-2021-0491 and A-183461315.
  • Apply relevant OEM, carrier, or Android security updates for affected devices.
  • Prioritize devices that allow untrusted app installation or handle sensitive business data.
  • For unsupported devices, evaluate replacement or compensating mobile device controls.
  • Check vendor guidance before assuming any workaround exists.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Android devices, OS versions, OEM builds, and security patch levels.
  • Confirm whether device bulletins reference CVE-2021-0491 or Android ID A-183461315.
  • Verify managed devices received the relevant May 2021 or later security update.
  • Identify unsupported Android devices that can no longer receive vendor fixes.
  • Document any unknown SoC or firmware status as unresolved exposure.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
3

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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

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CVE-2021-0491 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

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.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/aAndroidAndroid SoCListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.