Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-39800 is an Android kernel information disclosure issue. A local attacker could potentially cause the kernel ION ioctl path to leak kernel memory data. It does not require user interaction or extra execution privileges, but the sources do not show remote exploitation or active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat this as a patch-management priority for Android fleets, especially where devices handle sensitive data. The issue is local rather than remote, and active exploitation is not evidenced here, but kernel information leaks can support broader compromise chains.
Technical view
The issue is described in ion_ioctl in ion-ioctl.c as a use-after-free that may leak kernel data. The affected product is Android kernel, tracked by Android as A-208277166 and referenced in the April 2022 Android Security Bulletin. No CVSS, CWE, or detailed patch commit is provided in the bundle.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Android devices using affected Android kernel code. Exact vulnerable device models, OEM builds, and kernel versions are not identified in the provided sources, so asset owners must validate patch level against Android and vendor bulletins.
Exploitation context
The source states local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges and no user interaction. CISA KEV is false in the bundle, and no provided source claims active exploitation or public exploit availability.
Researcher notes
The bundle gives only a concise Android description, Android ID, and bulletin reference. It does not include CVSS, CWE, affected kernel branch details, commit identifiers, or proof-of-concept status. Avoid extrapolating beyond local information disclosure in Android kernel ION ioctl handling.
Mitigation direction
- Check the April 2022 Android Security Bulletin and OEM guidance for applicable updates.
- Update affected Android devices to vendor-supported security patch levels.
- Prioritize managed devices with sensitive data or high-risk local app exposure.
- Restrict untrusted app installation where patching is delayed.
- Do not assume a generic kernel workaround without vendor confirmation.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Android devices and record OEM, model, kernel, and security patch level.
- Compare device patch levels against April 2022 Android and vendor bulletins.
- Confirm whether the OEM build includes the fix for Android ID A-208277166.
- Review mobile management data for devices unable to receive current security 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-2021-39800 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/2022-04-01CVE 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.