CVE-2026-28622 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2026
In getQueryBuilderInternal of MediaProvider.java, there is a possible way to retrieve location metadata due to a permissions bypass. This could lead to local information disclosure with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2026
The vulnerability identified in the Android framework component known as MediaProvider involves a critical flaw within the getQueryBuilderInternal method of the MediaProvider.java source file. This specific implementation error results in an improper access control mechanism that allows applications to bypass intended permission checks when querying media content providers. The core technical issue stems from insufficient validation of caller permissions during the construction of database query builders, which are essential for retrieving structured data from the device's internal storage. By exploiting this logic flaw, a malicious or compromised application can construct queries that access metadata fields associated with multimedia files without possessing the necessary READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE or similar privileged permissions required by standard security policies. This represents a classic instance where the enforcement of security boundaries is circumvented through manipulation of the underlying data retrieval API, effectively granting unauthorized read access to sensitive information stored on the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability centers on local information disclosure, specifically regarding location metadata embedded within media files such as photographs and videos. Modern mobile devices routinely capture geolocation data using GPS modules and embed it into EXIF headers or similar metadata structures associated with image and video assets. When an attacker exploits this permissions bypass, they can extract precise geographic coordinates from these files without the user's knowledge or consent. This capability enables detailed tracking of a device owner's movements, habits, and frequented locations over time. Since the exploitation does not require additional execution privileges beyond those typically granted to standard applications, and because it operates independently of direct user interaction, the attack surface is significantly expanded. Any application installed on the victim's device could potentially leverage this flaw to harvest location data silently in the background, leading to severe privacy violations and potential physical security risks for individuals whose real-world locations are being monitored remotely.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200: Information Exposure, as it involves the unintended disclosure of sensitive system information to unauthorized actors. Furthermore, given that the attack vector relies on bypassing access controls to retrieve data from local storage without user interaction, it maps closely to ATT&CK technique T1005: Data from Local System within the Collection tactic. The lack of required user interaction and elevated privileges makes this a high-severity issue for mobile security architectures, as it undermines the fundamental isolation model that prevents applications from accessing each other's private data. Mitigation strategies must focus on patching the getQueryBuilderInternal method to enforce strict permission verification before allowing query construction. Developers should ensure that all media provider queries validate the caller's permissions against a comprehensive list of required access rights, including location-related metadata scopes. Additionally, system-level mitigations may involve restricting the exposure of sensitive EXIF fields by default or implementing stricter sandboxing rules for applications attempting to bulk-extract metadata from shared storage directories. Regular security audits and static analysis tools should be employed to detect similar permission bypass patterns in other content providers within the Android framework ecosystem.