CVE-2023-21266 Privilege escalation in Android

What is CVE-2023-21266?

CVE-2023-21266 is a high-severity vulnerability in Google Android, published on 6 Oct 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

In multiple functions of ActivityManagerService.java, there is a possible way to escape Google Play protection due to a permissions bypass. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-21266?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Google Android.

How do I fix CVE-2023-21266?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Is CVE-2023-21266 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-21266 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-223376078, ASB-A-223376078, GHSA-5rr3-f64r-jww5, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-21266.