CVE-2023-21116 Privilege escalation in Android

What is CVE-2023-21116?

CVE-2023-21116 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Google Android, published on 15 May 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

In verifyReplacingVersionCode of InstallPackageHelper.java, there is a possible way to downgrade system apps below system image version due to a logic error in the code. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-11 Android-12 Android-12L Android-13Android ID: A-256202273

Weakness: CWE-863

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-21116?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Google Android.

How do I fix CVE-2023-21116?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Is CVE-2023-21116 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-21116 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-256202273, ASB-A-256202273, GHSA-f7h3-xrj3-8hhr.