CVE-2023-21000 Use after free in Android

What is CVE-2023-21000?

CVE-2023-21000 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Google Android, published on 24 Mar 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

In MediaCodec.cpp, there is a possible use after free due to improper locking. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-13Android ID: A-194783918

Weakness: CWE-667

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-21000?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Google Android.

How do I fix CVE-2023-21000?

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-2023-21000 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-21000 in the wild and no public exploit code.

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-194783918, GHSA-5j77-g9mw-c64c, PUB-A-194783918.