CVE-2026-15366 in Kids Mode
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2026
A control logic defect in a specific built-in webpage of Kids Mode allows users to view local gallery photos directly within the page
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2026
The vulnerability identified involves a critical flaw in the access control mechanisms governing the Kids Mode interface, specifically within its embedded web components. This issue stems from an improper restriction on resource visibility, allowing authenticated or active sessions within this restricted environment to bypass intended sandboxing boundaries. The core technical defect lies in the failure of the application logic to properly validate user permissions when rendering local media assets. Instead of restricting access strictly to pre-approved content curated by administrators or parents, the underlying web view component inadvertently exposes references to files stored on the device's local storage. This represents a classic instance of insecure direct object reference where the system fails to enforce proper authorization checks before serving sensitive data resources to the client side.
From an operational perspective, this flaw significantly undermines the privacy and safety guarantees that Kids Mode is designed to provide. Parents rely on this feature to create a controlled digital environment for children, ensuring they are only exposed to age-appropriate content. By allowing direct access to local gallery photos, the vulnerability effectively neutralizes these safeguards. A user with physical or logical access to the device while in this mode can potentially view private family photographs, personal documents, or other sensitive media that were never intended to be visible within the application context. This breach of confidentiality not only violates user trust but also exposes individuals to potential privacy risks, especially if such images contain personally identifiable information or are stored without adequate encryption at rest.
The technical implications extend beyond simple data exposure. The ability to enumerate and access local files suggests a broader weakness in how the operating system's file permissions interact with the application sandboxing layer. If an attacker can trigger this condition programmatically, it may facilitate further reconnaissance activities within the device ecosystem. This aligns closely with CWE-284, which describes Improper Access Control, as well as CWE-798, involving the use of hardcoded or default credentials if such access relies on weak authentication states. Furthermore, in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this behavior correlates with techniques related to Data from Local System Retrieval and potentially Taint Analysis for lateral movement if combined with other exploits. The lack of strict separation between application-specific data stores and general user media libraries indicates a fundamental architectural oversight in the security design of the Kids Mode feature set.
Mitigation strategies must focus on reinforcing access control policies at both the application logic level and the operating system integration layer. Developers should implement rigorous validation checks to ensure that any request for local media assets is explicitly authorized against an allowlist of approved content identifiers rather than relying on implicit trust in file paths or directory structures. Implementing strict sandboxing rules that prevent web views from accessing general-purpose storage directories is essential. Additionally, employing Content Security Policy directives can help restrict resource loading origins and types, reducing the attack surface for such information disclosure vulnerabilities. Regular security audits focusing on privilege escalation and data leakage vectors within restricted modes are recommended to identify similar flaws before they can be exploited in production environments.