CVE-2023-20938 Use after free in Android

What is CVE-2023-20938?

CVE-2023-20938 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Google Android, published on 28 Feb 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

In binder_transaction_buffer_release of binder.c, there is a possible use after free due to improper input validation. 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-257685302References: Upstream kernel

Weakness: CWE-416

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-20938?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Google Android.

How do I fix CVE-2023-20938?

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-2023-20938 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-20938 exists.

Public exploit code: 3 proofs of concept on GitHub.

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-257685302, ASB-A-257685302, DEBIAN-CVE-2023-20938, GHSA-2grw-x2mc-x63f, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-20938.