CVE-2026-45519 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2026
In screenArgsForPermissionCheckIfAny of multiple locations there is a possible risk of unauthorized access due to a confused deputy. 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 in the screenArgsForPermissionCheckIfAny function represents a classic confused deputy problem, where a trusted component acts on behalf of an untrusted actor without properly validating the identity or intent of that actor. In this specific context, the flaw resides within multiple invocation points of the permission checking logic, suggesting a systemic failure rather than an isolated coding error. The core issue stems from insufficient validation of the calling context or parameters when determining whether to grant access to screen-related data structures. Because the function is responsible for arbitrating permissions related to display content, its compromise allows any entity with local execution privileges to bypass intended security controls and retrieve sensitive visual information that should remain restricted.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns closely with CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management, specifically regarding the failure of an actor to properly establish or verify their own identity before performing actions on behalf of another entity. The confused deputy scenario implies that while the application itself may be running with appropriate privileges, it fails to distinguish between legitimate requests from authorized applications and malicious requests originating from lower-privilege processes. This lack of strict origin verification enables a local attacker to trick the system into exposing screen contents without needing to escalate their own privileges or exploit additional vulnerabilities in other subsystems. The absence of user interaction requirements further exacerbates the risk, as exploitation can occur silently through automated scripts or background processes that trigger the vulnerable code path.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant due to its potential for local information disclosure. Screen data often contains highly sensitive information including login credentials entered by users, private messages displayed in applications, financial details visible on banking apps, and corporate intellectual property shown during presentations or remote work sessions. An attacker leveraging this flaw can extract these visuals directly from memory or display buffers without triggering standard security alerts associated with privilege escalation attempts. This capability effectively neutralizes the confidentiality guarantees provided by the operating system's sandboxing mechanisms for applications that rely on proper permission checks to protect their user interfaces.
In terms of threat modeling, this vulnerability maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1056 Input Capture Screen Capture, which describes methods used by adversaries to record screen activity to steal information from victims. The exploitation vector is classified as Local with No User Interaction required, placing it in a high-risk category for devices that are frequently left unattended or where multiple applications run simultaneously without strict isolation policies. Attackers can utilize this flaw to conduct persistent surveillance of user activities, capturing keystrokes indirectly through screen content and harvesting sensitive data over time without detection by traditional endpoint protection solutions that focus on process behavior rather than memory access patterns within trusted services.
Mitigation strategies must address the root cause of the confused deputy vulnerability by enforcing strict identity verification at every entry point to permission-checking functions. Developers should implement robust checks using cryptographic signatures or secure inter-process communication channels to verify the true origin of requests before granting access to screen data. Additionally, adopting a principle of least privilege ensures that even if such a flaw is exploited, the scope of accessible information remains limited. Security architectures should also incorporate runtime application self-protection mechanisms capable of detecting anomalous memory read patterns associated with unauthorized screen capture attempts. Regular code audits focusing on permission delegation logic and parameter validation are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future updates or related components within the same software ecosystem.