CVE-2022-20421 Use after free in Android

What is CVE-2022-20421?

CVE-2022-20421 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 11 Oct 2022. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

In binder_inc_ref_for_node of binder.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-239630375References: Upstream kernel

Weakness: CWE-416

Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-20421?

It affects 2 products.

Products include Debian Debian Linux, Google Android.

How do I fix CVE-2022-20421?

Apply the vendor's patch.

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-2022-20421 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2022-20421 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Public exploit code: 2 proofs of concept on GitHub.

Other vulnerabilities in Debian Debian Linux

• CVE-2015-3306 ProFTPD Improper Access Control Exploited Critical 10.0
• CVE-2025-49113 RoundCube Webmail Deserialization of Untrusted Data Exploited Critical 9.9
• CVE-2026-24061 GNU InetUtils Argument Injection Exploited Critical 9.8
• CVE-2025-39682 Linux Kernel Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions Exploited Critical 9.8
• CVE-2024-9680 Mozilla Firefox Use-After-Free Exploited Critical 9.8

All Debian Debian Linux vulnerabilities

Sources

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

Also known as A-239630375, ASB-A-239630375, DEBIAN-CVE-2022-20421, GHSA-gwp4-2h57-rrxw, UBUNTU-CVE-2022-20421.