# CVE-2021-0438: Security feature bypass in Android

> Attackers can perform tapjacking to escalate privileges locally on Android devices by exploiting incorrect obscured flag handling.

- **Severity:** High 7.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 13 Apr 2021
- **Updated:** 3 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** A-152064592, ASB-A-152064592, GHSA-v7xr-3g3r-j8gg

## What is CVE-2021-0438?

CVE-2021-0438 is a high-severity vulnerability in Google Android, published on 13 Apr 2021. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

In several functions of InputDispatcher.cpp, WindowManagerService.java, and related files, there is a possible tapjacking attack due to an incorrect FLAG_OBSCURED value. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-8.1 Android-9 Android-10Android ID: A-152064592

Weakness: CWE-1021 (Improper Restriction of Rendered UI Layers or Frames)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-0438?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Google Android.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-0438?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2021-0438 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-0438 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Google Android

- [CVE-2026-58704](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-58704/): Google Pixel Improper Authorization (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-48543](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-48543/): Android Runtime Use-After-Free (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2023-35674](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-35674/): Android Framework Privilege Escalation (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-48595](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-48595/): Android Framework Integer Overflow (high 8.4, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-32896](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-32896/): Android Pixel Privilege Escalation (high 8.1, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-0438 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-0438 is a high-severity vulnerability in Google Android, published on 13 Apr 2021. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-0438 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Google Android. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-0438/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-0438/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-0438
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-0438
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-0438

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-0438/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.