CVE-2026-0106 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 02/05/2026
In vpu_mmap of vpu_ioctl, there is a possible arbitrary address mmap due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-0106 resides within the vpu_mmap function of the vpu_ioctl subsystem, representing a critical security flaw that enables local privilege escalation without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction. This issue manifests as a missing bounds check during memory mapping operations, creating an avenue for attackers to manipulate memory addresses and potentially gain elevated system privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects the Video Processing Unit driver component, which handles multimedia processing tasks within embedded systems and mobile devices.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the memory mapping routine where the system fails to properly verify the boundaries of memory regions being mapped. When the vpu_mmap function processes memory allocation requests, it does not validate whether the requested memory addresses fall within acceptable ranges, allowing attackers to specify arbitrary memory locations that could potentially bypass kernel security mechanisms. This missing bounds check creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation as the system maps memory to locations that should otherwise be restricted or protected. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses insufficient input validation, and specifically relates to improper bounds checking in kernel memory management functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for systems utilizing the affected VPU driver, particularly in embedded environments, mobile platforms, and devices where kernel memory management is critical. An attacker with local access can exploit this flaw to map arbitrary memory addresses and potentially execute code with kernel privileges, effectively bypassing standard user-mode restrictions. The lack of requirement for user interaction makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without any human intervention. This type of local privilege escalation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to modify system files, escalate privileges to root access, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the affected systems. The vulnerability represents a serious threat to device security in IoT environments, mobile devices, and embedded systems where such kernel-level drivers are prevalent.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2026-0106 should focus on implementing proper bounds checking within the vpu_mmap function to validate memory address ranges before allowing memory mapping operations. System administrators should prioritize applying vendor patches and firmware updates as soon as they become available to address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing kernel memory protection mechanisms such as kernel address space layout randomization and memory protection keys can help reduce the exploitability of such flaws. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in kernel space operations and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring and anomaly detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting similar memory management vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments of kernel modules and driver components should be conducted to identify and remediate similar bounds checking deficiencies that could lead to privilege escalation vulnerabilities.