Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-0512 is an Android kernel flaw that could let a local attacker gain higher privileges on a device. The issue is a heap buffer overflow in HID input handling. The provided sources do not show remote attack capability, public exploitation, or CISA KEV listing.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for Android fleets with sensitive data or outdated OEM firmware. This is not presented as remotely exploitable, but kernel privilege escalation can materially increase impact after an attacker gains local code execution.
Technical view
The flaw is an out-of-bounds write in __hidinput_change_resolution_multipliers in hid-input.c. Android describes the impact as local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges and no user interaction required. The source bundle names Android kernel as affected and references the June 2021 Android Security Bulletin and upstream kernel material.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant to Android devices, vendor Android kernel builds, and downstream devices that did not receive the relevant June 2021 Android security updates or equivalent upstream kernel fixes. Exact exposure depends on OEM kernel branches and patch backports.
Exploitation context
The cited sources support local privilege escalation only. They do not provide evidence of active exploitation, public exploit availability, remote exploitation, or inclusion in CISA KEV. Treat exploitation status as unconfirmed, not actively exploited.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to CVE metadata and Android bulletin references. The key technical anchor is HID input resolution multiplier handling in hid-input.c. Further analysis should compare device kernel sources against the upstream fix, without assuming all Android versions or vendors are equally affected.
Mitigation direction
- Apply relevant Android security updates from the June 2021 bulletin or later OEM firmware.
- Confirm OEM advisories explicitly include CVE-2021-0512 or equivalent kernel backport coverage.
- Prioritize managed Android devices that run outdated vendor kernels.
- For custom Android builds, review upstream kernel fixes referenced by Android.
- Restrict untrusted local code execution where patching is delayed.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Android devices and record security patch levels and kernel build identifiers.
- Check OEM firmware notes for CVE-2021-0512 or June 2021 bulletin coverage.
- Verify custom kernel trees include the upstream hid-input.c fix.
- Flag devices without documented vendor support or recent kernel updates.
- Do not rely on CVSS; the source bundle does not provide a score.
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-2021-0512 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/2021-06-01CVE 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.