CVE-2026-49882 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2026
In rw_mfc_handle_read_op of rw_mfc.cc, there is a possible memory safety issue due to a heap buffer overflow. This could lead to remote code execution with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2026
The vulnerability identified in the rw_mfc_handle_read_op function within rw_mcc.cc represents a critical security flaw characterized by a heap-based buffer overflow. This type of memory safety issue arises when data written to an allocated region on the heap exceeds its designated boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory structures such as metadata or other objects stored contiguously in memory. The root cause typically involves insufficient validation of input lengths or incorrect calculations regarding buffer sizes during read operations, allowing an attacker to supply crafted payloads that exploit this boundary violation. Given the location within a media framework component, it is likely triggered by processing specially constructed multimedia files or streams where size parameters are manipulated to exceed allocated heap space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for remote code execution without requiring additional privileges from the victim user account. Since no user interaction is necessary for exploitation, an attacker can potentially trigger the flaw through automated means such as visiting a malicious website hosting crafted media content or receiving a poisoned file via network services that utilize this library. The ability to execute arbitrary code with the same privileges as the vulnerable application grants attackers full control over the affected system, enabling them to install malware, exfiltrate sensitive data, pivot to other systems on the internal network, or establish persistent backdoors for long-term access.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-122 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which describes writing beyond the bounds of an allocated heap region. Furthermore, in terms of attack vectors and techniques, it maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter if used for initial execution or potentially T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution when delivered via malicious media files designed to exploit client-side vulnerabilities. The lack of required user interaction places this in a high-severity category within most vulnerability scoring systems, as it allows for fully remote exploitation scenarios that do not rely on social engineering tactics like clicking links or opening attachments manually by the end-user.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term defensive posture improvements. The primary technical fix involves rigorous input validation within rw_mfc_handle_read_op to ensure that all read operations respect the allocated buffer limits, implementing bounds checking before any memory copy or write operation occurs. Developers should also consider adopting safer string handling functions and enabling compiler-level protections such as stack canaries, Address Sanitizer during testing phases, and Data Execution Prevention policies on target systems. On an organizational level, deploying network intrusion detection systems capable of identifying anomalous media file structures or buffer overflow attempts can provide a layer of defense in depth while patches are being developed and deployed to end-user environments.