CVE-2026-28613 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2026
In initAppLinkTypeAndIntent of ChannelImpl.java, there is a possible launch an arbitrary intent due to improper input validation. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2026
The vulnerability identified in the Android application component ChannelImpl.java within the initAppLinkTypeAndIntent method represents a critical flaw rooted in insufficient input validation when handling deep links or app link intents. This specific function is responsible for determining how an incoming intent should be processed, particularly regarding whether it constitutes an app link that requires special routing logic. The core technical deficiency lies in the failure to rigorously sanitize and validate the data contained within the Intent object before processing its components. Specifically, the application does not adequately verify the scheme, host, path, or other URI attributes provided by the caller, allowing for the injection of arbitrary intent actions or categories that were not anticipated by the developers. This lack of strict filtering enables an attacker to manipulate the internal state of the application by forcing it to launch unintended activities or services with elevated permissions relative to the context in which they are normally invoked.
From a security architecture perspective, this flaw aligns closely with CWE-94 Improper Control of Generation of Code Command Injection, specifically manifesting as improper validation of user-supplied input that leads to unauthorized execution flow control. In the Android ecosystem, intents serve as the primary messaging system for inter-component communication. When an application fails to validate these messages properly, it creates a pathway for local privilege escalation. Although the vulnerability description notes that no additional execution privileges are needed beyond those already held by the malicious app or component triggering the intent, the impact is significant because it allows bypassing intended security boundaries within the same device environment. The attacker can exploit this to perform actions such as accessing private data stores, initiating sensitive system operations, or chaining with other vulnerabilities to achieve higher-level access on the compromised device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial due to its potential for local privilege escalation without requiring complex exploitation techniques like buffer overflows or memory corruption. Instead, it relies on logical flaws in input handling which are often more difficult to detect through static analysis alone if not specifically targeted. The requirement for user interaction during exploitation suggests that the attack vector likely involves social engineering elements, such as tricking a user into clicking a malicious link or opening a specially crafted file that triggers the vulnerable intent handler. Once triggered, the arbitrary intent launch can lead to unauthorized access to protected resources within the application sandbox, potentially exposing sensitive user information like contacts, messages, or authentication tokens stored in private SharedPreferences or internal storage directories accessible only by the app itself.
Mitigation strategies must focus on implementing robust input validation and strict allow-listing mechanisms for all incoming intents processed by initAppLinkTypeAndIntent. Developers should validate every component of the URI including scheme, host, path, query parameters, and extra data fields against a predefined set of expected values rather than relying on negative filtering which can be easily bypassed. It is also recommended to enforce explicit intent resolution checks using PackageManager.resolveActivity or similar APIs to ensure that only authorized components are targeted by incoming intents. Additionally, applying the principle of least privilege ensures that even if an arbitrary intent is launched, it cannot access resources outside its designated scope unless explicitly permitted through manifest declarations. Regular security audits and dynamic analysis testing should be integrated into the development lifecycle to identify such logical flaws before deployment.
This vulnerability type is frequently associated with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter if viewed broadly as code execution, but more accurately maps to T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution when considering the user interaction aspect. In mobile-specific contexts, it relates to CWE-648 Incorrect Resolution of Competition Between Resources which can occur when intent resolution is manipulated to favor malicious components over legitimate ones. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive review of all entry points where external data influences internal application logic, ensuring that trust boundaries are strictly enforced and validated at every stage of the request processing pipeline.