# CVE-2023-21189: Security feature bypass in Android

> A logic error in Android's LockTaskController allows local attackers to bypass lock task mode, leading to privilege escalation.

- **Severity:** High 7.3 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 28 Jun 2023
- **Updated:** 4 Dec 2024
- **Also known as:** A-213942596, GHSA-mf7m-5pj7-586w, PUB-A-213942596

## What is CVE-2023-21189?

CVE-2023-21189 is a high-severity vulnerability in Google Android, published on 28 Jun 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

In startLockTaskMode of LockTaskController.java, there is a possible bypass of lock task mode due to a logic error in the code. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-13Android ID: A-213942596

Weakness: CWE-667 (Improper Locking)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-21189?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Google Android.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-21189?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2023-21189 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-21189 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Google Android

- [CVE-2026-58704](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-58704/): Google Pixel Improper Authorization (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-48543](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-48543/): Android Runtime Use-After-Free (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2023-35674](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-35674/): Android Framework Privilege Escalation (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-48595](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-48595/): Android Framework Integer Overflow (high 8.4, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-32896](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-32896/): Android Pixel Privilege Escalation (high 8.1, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-21189 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-21189 is a high-severity vulnerability in Google Android, published on 28 Jun 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-21189 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Google Android. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-21189/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-21189/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-21189
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-21189
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-21189

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-21189/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.