CVE-2023-21268 Path traversal in Android

What is CVE-2023-21268?

CVE-2023-21268 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in Google Android, published on 14 Aug 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

Official description

In update of MmsProvider.java, there is a possible way to change directory permissions due to a path traversal error. This could lead to local denial of service of SIM recognition with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.

Weakness: CWE-22

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-21268?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Google Android.

How do I fix CVE-2023-21268?

Apply the vendor's patch.

Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.

Is CVE-2023-21268 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-21268 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-264880895, ASB-A-264880895, GHSA-6qr9-vw5g-627h.