CVE-2026-28582 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2026
In onCreate of ConfirmDeviceCredentialActivity.java, there is a possible unauthorized access to and modification of device credentials due to a missing permission check. 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 • 09/09/2026
The vulnerability identified in the ConfirmDeviceCredentialActivity component represents a critical security flaw rooted in insufficient authorization controls within the Android operating system's credential management subsystem. Specifically, during the initialization phase of this activity via its onCreate method, the application fails to verify whether the invoking process possesses the necessary permissions to access or modify device credentials. This absence of a mandatory permission check allows any local entity, regardless of its privilege level, to interact with sensitive authentication data structures without requiring elevated execution privileges from the attacker. The flaw effectively bypasses the standard security model that restricts credential manipulation to trusted system services and authorized applications, thereby creating an open channel for unauthorized operations against stored user credentials such as PINs, patterns, passwords, or biometric tokens associated with device lock screens or application-specific authentication mechanisms.
From a technical perspective, this issue classifies under CWE-284, which denotes Improper Access Control, specifically highlighting the failure to enforce proper authorization checks before granting access to protected resources. The vulnerability leverages the fact that Android activities can sometimes be launched by other applications if they are exported and lack appropriate protection levels or internal permission validations. By exploiting this gap, an attacker can trigger the credential confirmation flow without user interaction, potentially leading to local information disclosure where sensitive authentication data is exposed in memory logs, intent extras, or through side-channel observations during the unauthorized modification process. The impact extends beyond mere confidentiality breaches; since the flaw allows for modification of device credentials, it could theoretically enable an attacker to reset or alter lock screen security settings, effectively locking out legitimate users or establishing persistent access vectors that persist across reboots if not properly secured by higher-level system safeguards.
The operational impact is severe due to the low barrier to entry required for exploitation. Because no user interaction is needed and no additional execution privileges are necessary, even malicious applications with minimal permissions can attempt this attack vector. This significantly expands the threat surface on compromised or untrusted devices where users may have installed potentially harmful software inadvertently. The ability to disclose local information means that attackers could extract cryptographic keys, session tokens, or other sensitive data tied to device credentials, facilitating further lateral movement within a networked environment or enabling account takeover attacks if those credentials are reused across services. Furthermore, the modification capability implies potential for denial of service by corrupting credential storage, rendering devices unusable until factory reset is performed, which underscores the critical nature of this vulnerability in maintaining system integrity and availability.
Mitigation strategies must focus on enforcing strict access controls at both the framework level and within the application code itself. Developers should ensure that all activities handling sensitive credentials explicitly declare android:exported=false unless absolutely necessary for inter-app communication, and even then, they must implement robust permission checks using Context.checkCallingPermission or similar mechanisms before processing any incoming intents. Additionally, integrating runtime permission verification during the onCreate lifecycle method can prevent unauthorized entities from initiating credential-related operations. On a broader scale, system-level patches should enforce mandatory access control policies that restrict direct manipulation of device credentials to only those processes holding specific high-privilege signatures like signatureOrSystem permissions. Regular security audits and static analysis tools configured to detect missing permission checks in critical authentication flows are essential for preventing such vulnerabilities from being introduced or persisting in future software updates, aligning with industry best practices outlined by OWASP Mobile Security Project guidelines regarding secure credential handling and access control enforcement.