# CVE-2021-29256: Arm Mali GPU Kernel Driver Use-After-Free Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2021-29256-arm-mali-gpu-kernel-driver-use-after-free-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2023-07-07. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2021-29256 · Severity: critical · CVSS 8.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2023-07-07

The Arm Mali GPU kernel driver contains a use-after-free vulnerability that allows an unprivileged user to access freed memory. This flaw can be exploited to achieve information disclosure or escalate privileges to root.

Technologies: [Arm Mali Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/mali-graphics-processing-unit-gpu). Vendors: [Arm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/arm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2021-29256 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2021-29256 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 7 July 2023. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2021-29256?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 7 July 2023.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Arm Bifrost GPU Kernel Driver r16p0 through r29p0 before r30p0; Arm Valhall GPU Kernel Driver r19p0 through r29p0 before r30p0; Arm Midgard GPU Kernel Driver r28p0 through r30p0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2021-29256?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2021-29256 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in an operating system.

**Am I affected by CVE-2021-29256?** Check whether you run Arm Mali Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- Arm Bifrost GPU Kernel Driver r16p0 through r29p0 before r30p0
- Arm Valhall GPU Kernel Driver r19p0 through r29p0 before r30p0
- Arm Midgard GPU Kernel Driver r28p0 through r30p0

## Timeline

- 2021-05-24: disclosed: NVD Published Date
- 2023-07-07: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2023-07-07: exploited: Reported as exploited in the wild in advisory metadata

## Related threats

- [Arm Mali GPU Kernel Driver Information Disclosure Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-26083-arm-mali-gpu-kernel-driver-information-disclosure-vulnerability)
- [Arm Mali GPU Kernel Driver Unspecified Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2022-22706-arm-mali-gpu-kernel-driver-unspecified-vulnerability)
- [Arm Mali GPU Kernel Driver Use-After-Free Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2022-38181-arm-mali-gpu-kernel-driver-use-after-free-vulnerability)
- [Arm Mali Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Use-After-Free Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2021-28663-arm-mali-graphics-processing-unit-gpu-use-after-free)
- [Arm Mali Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Unspecified Vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2021-28664-arm-mali-graphics-processing-unit-gpu-unspecified-vulnerability)