CVE-2021-38786 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in media/libcedarc/vdecoder of Allwinner R818 SoC Android Q SDK V1.0 has been identified, which could lead to a media crash, resulting in denial of service.

Understanding CVE-2021-38786

CVE-2021-38786 is a vulnerability in Allwinner R818 SoC Android Q SDK V1.0 that can cause a media crash due to a NULL pointer dereference issue.

What is CVE-2021-38786?

CVE-2021-38786 is a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the media decoding component of Allwinner R818 SoC Android Q SDK V1.0. Exploiting this issue could result in a denial of service (DoS) condition by crashing the media functionality.

The Impact of CVE-2021-38786

The impact of this vulnerability is the potential disruption of media-related functions on devices using the affected Allwinner R818 SoC Android Q SDK V1.0. An attacker could exploit this to cause a DoS by triggering a media crash.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-38786

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exists in the media/libcedarc/vdecoder module of the Allwinner R818 SoC Android Q SDK V1.0. It arises from a NULL pointer dereference issue, which attackers can misuse to crash the media functionality.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects systems using the Allwinner R818 SoC Android Q SDK V1.0. Specifically, devices running this software version are susceptible to exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting and sending specially designed input to trigger the NULL pointer dereference in the media decoding operation, leading to a DoS situation.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2021-38786, certain preventive measures and mitigation strategies should be implemented.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately update the affected systems with patches provided by Allwinner Tech or official sources to address the NULL pointer dereference issue in media/libcedarc/vdecoder.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporate secure coding practices, conduct regular security assessments, and stay updated with security advisories to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and patches from Allwinner Tech or trusted sources. Timely patching can help mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2021-38786.