CVE-2021-28663: Arm Mali Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Use-After-Free Vulnerability

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2021-28663 is a high (CVSS 9.0) Use After Free vulnerability in Arm Mali Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 03-11-2021. EPSS estimates a 12.08% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 96.1% of scored vulnerabilities. 1 public exploit is recorded.

Timeline

1. 10-05-2021
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 03-11-2021
   Added to CISA KEVArm Mali Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Use-After-Free Vulnerability
3. 17-11-2021
   CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
4. 21-10-2025
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

The Arm Mali GPU kernel driver allows privilege escalation or information disclosure because GPU memory operations are mishandled, leading to a use-after-free. This affects Bifrost r0p0 through r28p0 before r29p0, Valhall r19p0 through r28p0 before r29p0, and Midgard r4p0 through r30p0.

• CWE-416Use After FreeThe product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.