CVE-2024-47040: Google Android Use-After-Free Flaw

CVE-2024-47040 Overview

CVE-2024-47040 is a use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability in Google Android caused by a logic error in the affected code path. The flaw allows local escalation of privilege without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction. Google addressed the issue in the November 2024 Android Security Bulletin for Pixel devices. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-416] (Use After Free) and affects the Android operating system. Although the CVSS 4.0 score is 10.0, no public proof-of-concept or active exploitation has been reported as of the last NVD update.

Critical Impact
A local attacker can exploit this use-after-free condition to escalate privileges on an affected Android device without user interaction.

Affected Products

Google Android (per November 2024 Pixel Security Bulletin)
Google Pixel devices running unpatched Android builds
Android components referenced under CPE cpe:2.3:o:google:android:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

Discovery Timeline

2024-11-01 - Google publishes fix in Android Security Bulletin (Pixel) November 2024
2024-12-18 - CVE-2024-47040 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-47040

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a use-after-free condition in Android, classified under [CWE-416]. A logic error in the affected code allows a memory region to be referenced after it has been freed. When the freed memory is reallocated or manipulated, the dangling reference can be leveraged to corrupt kernel or process state. Successful exploitation results in local privilege escalation on the affected device.

Google's advisory describes the issue as exploitable without additional execution privileges and without user interaction. This indicates the vulnerable code path is reachable from an unprivileged context already running on the device, such as a malicious or compromised application.

Root Cause

The root cause is a logic error governing object lifetime management. The affected code releases a memory object while leaving one or more references valid for subsequent use. Subsequent operations on the dangling reference dereference attacker-influenced memory, enabling control over execution flow or sensitive data structures. Google has not published the specific component or function in public advisories beyond the bulletin reference.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local code execution on the device, typically by a malicious application installed by the user or delivered through another vector. Once running, the attacker triggers the vulnerable code path to free an object and then reuses the dangling reference to manipulate freed memory. No additional permissions or user interaction are required to elevate privileges. For complete technical scope, refer to the Android Security Bulletin November 2024.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-47040

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected privilege escalation events or processes running with elevated UIDs after installation of untrusted applications.
Kernel crashes, SELinux denials, or tombstone files referencing freed memory or invalid pointer dereferences.
Newly installed applications requesting or accessing resources outside their declared permission scope.

Detection Strategies

Monitor logcat, dmesg, and tombstone reports for use-after-free signatures such as KASAN reports or invalid memory access traces.
Inspect installed application inventories on managed devices for unsigned or sideloaded packages targeting privileged components.
Correlate device security patch level against the November 2024 Android security patch level baseline using MDM telemetry.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enforce minimum Android security patch level policies through Mobile Device Management (MDM) and condition access on compliance.
Forward device attestation and Play Integrity API results to a centralized logging platform to flag devices below the November 2024 patch level.
Track anomalous application behavior such as unexpected root or system property modifications on enrolled devices.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-47040

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the November 2024 Android security patch level or later on all Pixel and supported Android devices.
Identify and remove untrusted or sideloaded applications from affected devices.
Enforce MDM compliance policies that block devices below the November 2024 security patch level from accessing corporate resources.

Patch Information

Google released a fix in the Android Security Bulletin November 2024. Pixel devices receive the patch through the standard over-the-air update channel. Other Android OEMs incorporate the upstream fix on their own release schedules; consult the device manufacturer's security bulletin to confirm availability for non-Pixel hardware.

Workarounds

No vendor-supplied workaround exists. Patching to the November 2024 security patch level is the required remediation.
Restrict installation sources to Google Play and disable installation of applications from unknown sources until the patch is applied.
Use device attestation (Play Integrity) to gate sensitive enterprise applications on patched devices only.

bash

# Verify current Android security patch level on a connected device
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# Expected output for remediated devices: 2024-11-01 or later