CVE-2021-29256
KEVArm Mali GPU Kernel Driver Use-After-Free Vulnerability
Description
Arm Mali GPU Kernel Driver contains a use-after-free vulnerability that may allow a non-privileged user to gain root privilege and/or disclose information.
. The Arm Mali GPU kernel driver allows an unprivileged user to achieve access to freed memory, leading to information disclosure or root privilege escalation. This affects Bifrost r16p0 through r29p0 before r30p0, Valhall r19p0 through r29p0 before r30p0, and Midgard r28p0 through r30p0.
CVSS 3.1 vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HPublishedMay 24, 2021
Last modifiedJun 17, 2026
Added to KEVJul 7, 2023
Remediation dueJul 28, 2023
References
- developer.arm.com/support/arm-security-updates/mali-gpu-kernel-driverVendor Advisory
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-29256US Government Resource
0 recent articles mention this CVE
74
Risk assessment · High
Actively exploited. Patch immediately.
- Exploitation
- Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Federal remediation deadline
- Overdue by 1186 days
- CVSS
- 8.8 HIGH
- EPSS (30-day exploit probability)
- 3.0% · top 13% of all CVEs
- Weakness
- CWE-416
- Attack vector
- Network, remotely reachable
Recommended actions
- 1.Apply updates per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if updates are unavailable.
- 2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
- 3.Review exposure: confirm which instances are reachable from the internet and restrict access until patched.
- 4.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.