CVE-2026-45515 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2026
In a2dp_vendor_opus_decoder_decode_packet of a2dp_vendor_opus_decoder.cc, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a heap buffer overflow. This could lead to local escalation of privilege 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 in the Android Open Source Project component related to Bluetooth Audio involves a critical memory safety flaw within the Opus audio decoder implementation, specifically located in the function a2dp_vendor_opus_decoder_decode_packet found in the source file a2dp_vendor_opus_decoder.cc. This issue is classified as an out-of-bounds write resulting from a heap buffer overflow. The root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient boundary checks during the decoding process of Advanced Audio Distribution Profile packets that utilize the Opus codec. When the decoder processes incoming audio data, it fails to properly validate the length or structure of the input packet against the allocated memory buffers before writing decoded samples into them. This lack of rigorous validation allows an attacker who can inject maliciously crafted Bluetooth audio streams to write data beyond the boundaries of the intended heap-allocated buffer.
From a technical perspective, this heap buffer overflow represents a classic CWE-122 vulnerability category where memory is written past the end of a dynamically allocated block. The operational impact of such a flaw is severe because it compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the system's memory space. By carefully crafting the payload to overwrite adjacent heap metadata or control structures, an attacker can achieve arbitrary code execution on the affected device. Since this vulnerability exists within the Bluetooth stack which operates with elevated privileges relative to user applications, successful exploitation leads directly to local privilege escalation. The attacker gains a higher level of access than originally intended, potentially allowing full control over the operating system kernel and sensitive data stored on the device.
The exploitability profile for this vulnerability is particularly dangerous due to its low barrier to entry for attackers. No additional execution privileges are required to trigger the flaw, meaning that any application or service with network stack access can theoretically initiate the attack vector if they have control over the Bluetooth connection parameters. Furthermore, user interaction is not needed for exploitation, which significantly increases the risk of automated attacks. An adversary could potentially exploit this vulnerability through a man-in-the-middle scenario where they spoof a trusted audio device or by exploiting other vulnerabilities that allow them to inject packets into the local Bluetooth communication channel. This aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to initial access and privilege escalation via peripheral devices, specifically leveraging weaknesses in wireless protocol implementations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve applying vendor-provided security patches that update the Android framework and associated Bluetooth stack components. Developers must ensure that all instances of a2dp_vendor_opus_decoder_decode_packet implement strict input validation checks before processing any data from external sources. This includes verifying packet lengths, checking buffer boundaries explicitly, and implementing safe memory handling practices such as using bounds-checked libraries or sanitizing inputs rigorously. For system administrators and users, the immediate action is to apply the latest security updates provided by their device manufacturers. Additionally, disabling Bluetooth when not in use can reduce the attack surface, although this does not mitigate risks from already paired devices that might be exploited via other vectors. Long-term remediation requires adopting secure coding standards that prioritize memory safety and regular static analysis of critical subsystems like audio decoders to prevent similar heap corruption issues in future releases.