Arm · Mali Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
CVE-2021-28663
Arm Mali Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Use-After-Free Vulnerability
What it is
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.
CISA: Arm Mali Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) kernel driver contains a use-after-free vulnerability that may allow a non-privileged user to make improper operations on GPU memory to gain root privilege, and/or disclose information.
What to do
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Deadline for US federal agencies: November 17, 2021
More exploited flaws from Arm
| Added | Vulnerability | Product | Severity | Attack chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 7, 2023 | Mali GPU Kernel Driver Use-After-Free | Mali Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) | High 8.8 | 3.0% |
| Apr 7, 2023 | Mali GPU Kernel Driver Information Disclosure | Mali Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) | Low 3.3 | 1.2% |
| Mar 30, 2023 | Mali GPU Kernel Driver Unspecified | Mali Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) | High 7.8 | 1.1% |
| Mar 30, 2023 | Mali GPU Kernel Driver Use-After-Free | Mali Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) | High 8.8 | 18% |
| Nov 3, 2021 | Unspecified | Mali Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) | High 8.8 | 5.4% |
| Jun 12, 2024 | Use-After-Free | Mali GPU Kernel Driver | High 7.4 | 0.8% |
| Oct 3, 2023 | Use-After-Free | Mali GPU Kernel Driver | Medium 5.5 | 1.1% |
| Nov 3, 2021 | Out-of-Bounds Write | Trusted Firmware | Medium 5.5 | 3.1% |
Sources: Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (CISA, public domain), CVE records (cve.org) and EPSS (FIRST). The chance of attacks is the EPSS estimate that someone will try to exploit the flaw in the next 30 days.