CVE-2026-28584 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2026
In createSessionInternal of PackageInstallerService.java, there is a possible way to permanently DoS the device due to a logic error in the code. This could lead to local denial of service with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2026
The vulnerability identified within the createSessionInternal method of PackageInstallerService.java represents a critical logical flaw that can result in a permanent denial of service condition on Android devices. This issue stems from an improper handling of session states during package installation processes, where specific error conditions or race conditions are not adequately resolved by the system's internal state machine. When triggered, this logic error causes the installer to enter an unrecoverable state, effectively locking out subsequent package management operations until a full device reboot is performed. This behavior deviates from expected resilience standards in operating systems, which should gracefully handle installation failures without compromising core functionality or requiring administrative intervention for recovery.
From a technical perspective, the root cause lies in how the PackageInstallerService manages session lifecycle and resource cleanup upon encountering specific failure scenarios. The service fails to properly reset internal flags or release critical locks associated with package sessions when an abnormal termination occurs. Consequently, any subsequent attempt to initiate a new installation session encounters a blocked state because the system incorrectly believes a previous session is still active or in a transitional phase that cannot be aborted. This permanent blockage prevents legitimate applications from being installed, updated, or uninstalled, thereby disrupting normal device operations and potentially affecting user experience significantly if critical security patches or application updates are delayed indefinitely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for local denial of service without requiring additional execution privileges. An attacker does not need elevated permissions such as root access to exploit this flaw; instead, they can trigger the condition through standard application installation requests that induce the faulty logic path. Since user interaction is also unnecessary for exploitation, automated scripts or malicious applications running in the background could repeatedly attempt installations under specific conditions to ensure the denial of service state is reached and maintained. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it allows any installed app with basic install permissions to degrade system stability permanently until a reboot occurs, impacting device availability and reliability.
In terms of industry standard classifications, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-835, which describes loops that never terminate or resources that are not properly released leading to denial of service conditions. Additionally, it relates to CWE-697 regarding incorrect comparison operations if the logic error involves flawed state checks. From an offensive security standpoint, such a flaw can be categorized under MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to resource exhaustion and system availability disruption, specifically within the context of local privilege escalation or persistence through denial of service rather than direct control acquisition. The lack of required privileges for exploitation places it in categories emphasizing accessibility and ease of use by low-privileged actors.
Mitigation strategies must focus on hardening the session management logic within PackageInstallerService.java to ensure robust error handling and state recovery mechanisms. Developers should implement comprehensive try-catch blocks that guarantee all resources are released and internal states are reset regardless of how a session terminates, whether normally or abnormally. Adding timeout mechanisms for stuck sessions can prevent indefinite blocking by forcing cleanup after a defined period of inactivity or unresponsiveness. Furthermore, introducing validation checks to detect inconsistent state transitions before proceeding with new operations can help avoid entering unrecoverable loops. Regular code audits focusing on concurrency and resource lifecycle management are essential to identify similar logical flaws across other system services.
System administrators and users should be aware that while this vulnerability does not allow for direct data theft or remote code execution, it poses a significant risk to device availability. Until patches are applied by OEMs and distributed via security updates, the primary defense is maintaining up-to-date software versions where such logical errors have been addressed. In environments where immediate patching is not possible, monitoring for unusual patterns of package installation attempts might help detect exploitation activities early enough to mitigate widespread impact through manual intervention or controlled reboots if necessary. Ensuring that applications adhere strictly to permission models and do not abuse install APIs can also reduce the attack surface available to potential exploiters seeking to disrupt system stability.