CVE-2026-0016 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 06/02/2026
In updateProvidersWhenServiceRemoved of CredentialManagerService.java, there is a possible way to override settings across users due to a permissions bypass. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2026
The vulnerability exists within the credential manager service component of an Android system where the updateProvidersWhenServiceRemoved method fails to properly validate user permissions when processing service removal events. This flaw represents a critical access control weakness that allows unauthorized modification of credential settings across different user profiles on the same device. The vulnerability stems from insufficient authorization checks that should normally prevent one user's operations from affecting another user's credential configuration. According to CWE-284, this manifests as improper access control where the system fails to enforce proper privilege separation between user contexts. The attack vector requires no user interaction and can be exploited through local execution without additional privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by any application running with basic user permissions on the device. The implications extend beyond simple information disclosure to include potential credential compromise and unauthorized access to protected resources that users expect to be isolated between different profiles.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the CredentialManagerService processes service removal events and fails to verify that the requesting user context matches the target user settings being modified. This permission bypass allows an attacker to manipulate credential provider configurations that belong to other users, potentially enabling them to redirect authentication flows, modify access controls, or otherwise compromise the integrity of credential management across user boundaries. The flaw demonstrates a failure in the system's user isolation mechanisms that should normally be enforced by the Android security model. The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious applications that are installed on the device and have basic user permissions, as they can trigger the service removal event and subsequently override settings in other user profiles. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and user context separation that forms the foundation of Android's multi-user security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of Android's multi-user environment where different users should maintain complete isolation of their credential data and settings. An attacker could potentially access sensitive information belonging to other users, including authentication tokens, certificate stores, and credential provider configurations that might reveal access patterns or provide entry points to additional system resources. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the device is running and allows for continuous monitoring and exploitation across different user contexts. According to ATT&CK technique T1548.003, this vulnerability enables privilege escalation through abuse of credential access controls, while also supporting techniques related to lateral movement and information gathering. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited silently in the background without any indication to the user or system administrator.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper user context validation within the CredentialManagerService updateProvidersWhenServiceRemoved method and ensuring that all credential modification operations verify the requesting user identity against the target user profile. The system should enforce strict separation of credential data between user profiles and validate that operations are performed within the appropriate user context. Security patches should include mandatory permission checks that prevent cross-user credential modifications and implement proper access control lists for credential provider configurations. Additionally, the system should log all credential modification events with user context information to enable detection of unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring for suspicious credential access patterns and ensure that all user profile operations are properly audited to prevent unauthorized modifications. The fix should align with Android security best practices and ensure that multi-user isolation is maintained at all times, preventing any scenario where one user's operations could affect another user's credential integrity.