CVE-2026-49918 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2026
In multiple functions, there is a possible out of bounds write due to an integer 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 described constitutes a critical security flaw rooted in improper handling of arithmetic operations within multiple software functions, specifically manifesting as an out-of-bounds write condition triggered by integer overflow. This type of defect typically arises when the application fails to validate that the result of a calculation fits within the allocated data type limits before using it for memory allocation or array indexing calculations. When an attacker supplies input values that cause the arithmetic operation to wrap around, such as adding two large positive integers resulting in a negative number due to signed integer overflow, the subsequent logic interprets this wrapped value as a valid, small-sized buffer requirement. Consequently, the system allocates insufficient memory space relative to the actual data being written or processed. This discrepancy allows an attacker to write data beyond the boundaries of the intended memory region, corrupting adjacent memory structures and potentially overwriting critical control data such as return addresses, function pointers, or security cookies embedded within the stack or heap.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) identifiers including CWE-190 Integer Overflow or Wraparound and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write. The exploitation of this vulnerability does not require user interaction, which significantly lowers the barrier for attack execution and increases the severity rating. Because no additional privileges are needed to trigger the initial conditions that lead to the overflow, a local attacker with minimal access can leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges on the affected system. This capability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or systems where untrusted users have shell access but limited administrative rights. The ability to write arbitrary data into kernel space or privileged process memory allows for complete compromise of system integrity, confidentiality, and availability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation. An attacker who successfully exploits the out-of-bounds write can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the compromised process. If the vulnerable function resides in a service running as root or SYSTEM, the attacker gains full control over the operating system. This enables them to install malware, create backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, and pivot to other systems within the network. Furthermore, because user interaction is not required, automated exploitation tools can target this vulnerability without needing social engineering tactics such as phishing links or malicious file uploads that require a human victim to open them. The lack of execution privileges needed for exploitation means that even restricted accounts on Unix-like systems or standard user accounts in Windows environments are sufficient vectors for attack.
In terms of threat modeling, this behavior maps directly to the MITRE ATT&CK framework technique T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation and potentially T1203 Malicious Software Execution if code execution is achieved through the overflow. The specific mechanism of using integer arithmetic errors to bypass bounds checks is a classic exploitation pattern often seen in kernel drivers, network daemons, or system utilities that handle complex data structures without rigorous input validation. Defenders should recognize this as a high-severity issue requiring immediate attention due to its remote exploitability potential if the vulnerable service is exposed and its local privilege escalation impact which affects all users on the host.
Mitigation strategies must focus on both code-level fixes and architectural defenses. Developers should implement strict integer overflow checks before performing arithmetic operations that influence memory allocation sizes or array indices. Using safe math libraries or compiler flags such as -ftrapv in GCC can help detect these conditions during testing, though they are not sufficient for production security alone. Input validation is critical; all external inputs must be sanitized and verified to ensure they fall within expected ranges before being used in calculations. Additionally, enabling modern memory protection mechanisms like Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), Data Execution Prevention (DEP), and Stack Canaries can mitigate the impact of successful exploitation by making it harder for attackers to predict memory layouts or execute injected code. Regular static analysis using tools configured to detect CWE-190 patterns is also recommended to identify similar vulnerabilities across the codebase before deployment.