CVE-2026-28660 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2026
In getAllSessions of multiple files, there is a possible confused deputy due to a logic error in the code. 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 • 09/08/2026
The vulnerability identified within the getAllSessions function across multiple source files represents a classic confused deputy problem, rooted in a fundamental logic error during session management operations. In software security architecture, a confused deputy occurs when a trusted program or process is tricked into performing an unauthorized action on behalf of an untrusted user because it fails to properly verify its own authority or the context of the request. In this specific instance, the application likely retrieves active sessions without adequately validating whether the current execution context has the legitimate right to access those specific session details. This logic flaw allows any local entity, regardless of privilege level, to invoke the function and retrieve sensitive session data that should be restricted to authenticated administrators or higher-privileged processes. The absence of strict identity verification at the point of retrieval means the system blindly trusts the caller's intent rather than enforcing mandatory access controls based on the actual permissions of the invoking process.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability facilitates local information disclosure without requiring any additional execution privileges beyond basic user-level access. An attacker with low-privileged shell access can exploit this flaw to extract session tokens, identifiers, or other metadata associated with active user sessions. This data is critical for maintaining application state and authenticity; once disclosed, it enables further attacks such as session hijacking, where an adversary impersonates a legitimate user by reusing the stolen session credentials. Since no user interaction is required for exploitation, the attack vector is entirely passive from the victim's perspective, making detection difficult through standard behavioral monitoring unless specific file access patterns are logged and analyzed. The ease of exploitation significantly lowers the barrier to entry for attackers targeting systems where this software component is deployed, potentially leading to broader compromise if session tokens provide elevated privileges or access to sensitive backend resources.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) category CWE-284, which describes improper access control that leads to confusion regarding who the deputy is acting on behalf of. It also relates closely to CWE-798, concerning the use of hardcoded credentials or excessive trust in external inputs without validation. In terms of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this flaw supports techniques under T1003, specifically OS Credential Dumping, as session data often contains hashes or tokens that can be used for lateral movement. Furthermore, it falls under T1528, Steal Application Access Tokens, because the retrieved sessions serve as direct access mechanisms to authenticated services. The lack of user interaction required places this within automated exploitation scenarios typical of local privilege escalation chains where initial foothold is gained through other means such as web application vulnerabilities or phishing.
Mitigation strategies must focus on implementing strict identity verification and principle of least privilege enforcement at the code level. Developers should modify the getAllSessions function to explicitly check the effective user ID (EUID) and group IDs (EGID) of the calling process before returning any session data, ensuring that only processes with administrative or specific service-level privileges can access this information. Additionally, implementing role-based access control checks within the application logic will prevent lower-privileged users from invoking high-sensitivity functions regardless of their ability to execute the binary. Security hardening should also include runtime protection mechanisms such as SELinux or AppArmor profiles that restrict file and function access based on security contexts rather than just traditional Unix permissions. Regular code audits focusing on privilege escalation paths and confused deputy scenarios are essential to identify similar logic errors in other parts of the system, ensuring comprehensive defense against local information disclosure attacks.