CVE-2021-1048 Android Kernel Use-After-Free

What is CVE-2021-1048?

CVE-2021-1048 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Google Android, published on 15 Dec 2021. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

In ep_loop_check_proc of eventpoll.c, there is a possible way to corrupt memory due to a use after free. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android kernelAndroid ID: A-204573007References: Upstream kernel

Weakness: CWE-416

Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-1048?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Google Android.

How do I fix CVE-2021-1048?

Apply the vendor's patch. US federal agencies must fix it by 13 Jun 2022.

Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.

Is CVE-2021-1048 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2021-1048 in the wild since at least 23 May 2022.

Other vulnerabilities in Google Android

• CVE-2026-58704 Google Pixel Improper Authorization Exploited High 8.8
• CVE-2025-48543 Android Runtime Use-After-Free Exploited High 8.8
• CVE-2023-35674 Android Framework Privilege Escalation Exploited High 8.8
• CVE-2025-48595 Android Framework Integer Overflow Exploited High 8.4
• CVE-2024-32896 Android Pixel Privilege Escalation Exploited High 8.1

All Google Android vulnerabilities

Sources

• CVE record
• NVD
• OSV
• GitHub advisory
• How this page is made

Also known as A-204573007, ASB-A-204573007, DEBIAN-CVE-2021-1048, GHSA-r535-rfwp-fm57, UBUNTU-CVE-2021-1048.