CVE-2026-49927 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2026
In multiple locations, 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 • 09/09/2026
The vulnerability described represents a critical security flaw characterized by an integer overflow that subsequently triggers an out-of-bounds memory write operation. Integer overflows occur when an arithmetic calculation exceeds the maximum value that can be stored in a specific data type, causing the result to wrap around to a significantly smaller number or negative value. In this context, such miscalculations likely affect buffer size determinations or array index calculations within the affected software component. When these erroneous values are used to allocate memory or determine write boundaries, the application may attempt to write data beyond the allocated limits of a buffer. This discrepancy creates a window for arbitrary code execution or state corruption because the program fails to validate that the calculated destination address remains within the safe bounds of its designated memory space.
The operational impact of this flaw is severe due to the potential for local privilege escalation. Since the vulnerability allows an attacker to write data outside of intended memory boundaries, it can be leveraged to overwrite critical control structures such as return addresses, function pointers, or security cookies like stack canaries. By carefully crafting input that triggers the integer overflow and subsequent out-of-bounds write, a malicious actor can manipulate the execution flow of the vulnerable process. The absence of additional required privileges means that even low-privileged users on the system can exploit this condition to gain higher-level access, effectively bypassing standard security controls. This transforms a simple memory corruption bug into a pathway for complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or use the compromised machine as a pivot point for further network attacks.
Exploitation of this vulnerability does not require user interaction, which significantly increases its risk profile and attack surface. Unlike vulnerabilities that depend on social engineering tactics such as clicking malicious links or opening infected documents, this flaw can be triggered automatically by background processes or through remote services if the vulnerable component is exposed to untrusted input sources. The lack of a user action requirement implies that automated scanning tools or persistent malware could exploit the condition without any human intervention. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where systems are expected to handle external inputs, such as web servers, database engines, or network-facing applications, although it also applies to local services if they process untrusted data from other processes on the same host.
From a classification perspective, this issue aligns with CWE-190 Integer Overflow or Wraparound and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write. These categories highlight the fundamental failure in input validation and boundary checking that allows memory safety violations to occur. In terms of offensive security frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK, this vulnerability facilitates techniques related to Privilege Escalation via Exploitation of Local Vulnerabilities (T1068) and potentially Code Injection or Arbitrary Write operations depending on the specific exploitation method employed. The ability to write outside buffer bounds is a precursor to more advanced exploitation strategies that aim to hijack control flow, making it a high-priority target for remediation efforts within any secure software development lifecycle.
Mitigation strategies must focus on rigorous input validation and robust memory management practices. Developers should implement checks to ensure that all arithmetic operations involving sizes or indices are validated against maximum allowable limits before being used in allocation functions or array indexing. Utilizing programming languages with automatic bounds checking, such as Rust or Go, can prevent these classes of errors entirely. For legacy codebases written in C or C++, employing static analysis tools and fuzzing techniques during the testing phase is essential to detect integer overflows before deployment. Additionally, enabling compiler-level protections such as stack canaries, Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), and Data Execution Prevention (DEP) can mitigate the impact of successful exploitation by making it more difficult for attackers to predict memory layouts or execute injected code. Regular security audits and adherence to secure coding standards like OWASP guidelines are critical steps in preventing similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into software systems.