CVE-2026-49932 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/08/2026
In parseParts of PduParser.java, there is a possible out of bounds read 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 parseParts method within PduParser.java represents a critical security flaw rooted in improper boundary checking during the parsing of Protocol Data Units, commonly associated with Short Message Service (SMS) or similar messaging protocols. This specific issue manifests as an out-of-bounds read resulting from a heap buffer overflow condition. In Java environments, while memory safety is generally managed by the virtual machine, low-level operations involving direct byte buffers or native libraries invoked through JNI can still be susceptible to such errors if array indices are not strictly validated against allocated buffer sizes. The flaw arises when the parser processes malformed or specially crafted input data that causes an index calculation to exceed the bounds of the underlying heap-allocated memory structure. Instead of throwing a standard ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException which would terminate the operation safely, the application proceeds to read from adjacent memory locations, potentially exposing sensitive internal state information or causing undefined behavior in subsequent processing steps.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, Out-of-bounds Read, and often overlaps with CWE-787, Out-of-bounds Write if the overflow leads to corruption of heap metadata or adjacent objects. The absence of rigorous input validation allows an attacker to control the offset used during the parsing process. By crafting a PDU segment where the length fields or index calculations are manipulated, an adversary can force the application to access memory regions outside the intended buffer allocation. This capability is particularly dangerous because it bypasses standard Java security managers in certain execution contexts and may allow for information disclosure regarding heap layout, which is a critical step in developing more complex exploits such as arbitrary code execution via heap spraying or structure overwrite techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage. As noted, the flaw enables local escalation of privilege without requiring additional execution privileges from the user context. This implies that if an application with elevated system permissions processes a maliciously crafted message received through any supported interface—such as SMS reception on mobile devices or MMS handling in enterprise messaging systems—the vulnerability can be triggered automatically upon receipt. The lack of required user interaction significantly lowers the barrier for exploitation, transforming this from a potential risk into an immediate threat vector. Attackers could potentially leverage this to bypass security controls, inject malicious payloads, or destabilize the application process to achieve denial-of-service conditions that mask more sophisticated attacks.
In terms of adversary tactics, this vulnerability facilitates techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under Initial Access and Execution phases. Specifically, it relates to T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution if triggered via user-facing applications, or potentially T1564 Hidden Files and Directories if used to hide malicious artifacts during privilege escalation. The ability to read out-of-bounds memory can also aid in defeating Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) by leaking pointer addresses from the heap, thereby increasing the success rate of subsequent exploitation attempts that rely on precise memory address knowledge.
Mitigation strategies must focus on rigorous input validation and defensive programming practices within the PduParser.java module. Developers should implement strict bounds checking before any array access or buffer operation is performed, ensuring that calculated indices are always less than the length of the allocated buffer. Utilizing safe parsing libraries that automatically handle boundary conditions can reduce the risk of manual errors. Additionally, enabling Java security features such as SecurityManager restrictions in environments where this code runs with high privileges can limit the impact if an exploit is attempted. Regular static analysis and fuzzing tests targeting PDU parsers are essential to identify similar off-by-one or overflow vulnerabilities before deployment. Patch management processes should prioritize updating affected components immediately upon release of a fix, as these types of memory safety issues remain prevalent in legacy codebases handling binary protocol data.