CVE-2021-31815
CVE-2021-31815 is a low-severity vulnerability in Google Google/apple Exposure Notifications with a CVSS 3.x base score of 3.3. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-319.
Key facts
- Severity: Low (CVSS 3.x base score 3.3)
- CVSS v2: 2.1
- EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (3rd percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-319
- Affected product: Google Google/apple Exposure Notifications
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
GAEN (aka Google/Apple Exposure Notifications) through 2021-04-27 on Android allows attackers to obtain sensitive information, such as a user's location history, in-person social graph, and (sometimes) COVID-19 infection status, because Rolling Proximity Identifiers and MAC addresses are written to the Android system log, and many Android devices have applications (preinstalled by the hardware manufacturer or network operator) that read system log data and send it to third parties. NOTE: a news outlet (The Markup) states that they received a vendor response indicating that fix deployment "began several weeks ago and will be complete in the coming days."
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2021-31815?
- GAEN (aka Google/Apple Exposure Notifications) through 2021-04-27 on Android allows attackers to obtain sensitive information, such as a user's location history, in-person social graph, and (sometimes) COVID-19 infection status, because Rolling Proximity Identifiers and MAC addresses are written to the Android system log, and many Android devices have applications (preinstalled by the hardware manufacturer or network operator) that read system log data and send it to third parties. NOTE: a news outlet (The Markup) states that they received a vendor response indicating that fix deployment "began several weeks ago and will be complete in the coming days."
- How severe is CVE-2021-31815?
- CVE-2021-31815 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 3.3, rated low severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity none, and availability none.
- Is CVE-2021-31815 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (3rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2021-31815?
- CVE-2021-31815 affects Google Google/apple Exposure Notifications. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2021-31815?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
- When was CVE-2021-31815 published?
- CVE-2021-31815 was published on 2021-04-28 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://blog.appcensus.io/2021/04/27/why-google-should-stop-logging-contact-tracing-data/
- https://themarkup.org/privacy/2021/04/27/google-promised-its-contact-tracing-app-was-completely-private-but-it-wasnt
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:google:google\/apple_exposure_notifications:*:*:*:*:*:android:*:*
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