Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-0546 is an Android 11 NFC component flaw that could allow local privilege escalation. The source describes an out-of-bounds write caused by a missing bounds check. Exploitation does not require user interaction, but the CVE text says System execution privileges are needed, which limits typical exposure.
Executive priority
Treat this as a patch compliance item for Android 11 fleets rather than an emergency based on the supplied evidence. Prioritize devices that are old, unmanaged, or behind June 2021 security updates.
Technical view
The issue is in phNxpNciHal_print_res_status in phNxpNciHal.cc. A missing bounds check may permit an out-of-bounds write. The affected product named in the CVE source is Android 11. No CVSS score, CWE, proof-of-exploit detail, or broad affected-device list is provided in the supplied bundle.
Likely exposure
Exposure should be scoped to Android 11 devices using the affected Android NFC HAL code, including Pixel devices covered by the June 2021 bulletin. The bundle does not identify other Android versions, OEM firmware builds, or downstream vendor status.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show active exploitation and the CVE is not marked KEV. The vulnerability is local, needs no user interaction, and the CVE states System execution privileges are needed, suggesting meaningful attacker preconditions before exploitation.
Researcher notes
The public detail is limited to the function name, bug class, Android ID A-169258733, and affected Android 11. The bundle does not provide a CVSS vector, patch diff details, exploitability analysis, or evidence of exploitation in the wild.
Mitigation direction
- Review the Android or Pixel June 2021 security bulletin for vendor patch guidance.
- Update affected Android 11 devices to a security patch level containing the fix.
- Check OEM advisories for downstream firmware availability and device-specific timelines.
- Prioritize managed Android 11 devices with NFC enabled or unknown patch status.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Android 11 devices and record vendor security patch levels.
- Confirm whether devices received the June 2021 Android or Pixel security update.
- Check OEM release notes for CVE-2021-0546 or Android ID A-169258733.
- Verify NFC-related firmware and system images are current for managed devices.
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-2021-0546 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/pixel/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.