CVE-2026-49935 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
In getXmlFileNameForUser of LocaleManagerService.java, there is a possible permission bypass due to a confusable path traversal. 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 • 11/02/2026
The vulnerability identified in the Android operating system's LocaleManagerService involves a critical flaw within the getXmlFileNameForUser function, specifically related to how file paths are constructed and validated when determining locale configuration files for specific users. This issue stems from a confusable path traversal weakness, where the application fails to adequately sanitize or canonicalize user-supplied input before using it as part of a file system operation. In many Android subsystems, service components handle sensitive configuration data that dictates regional settings such as language and time zones. When these services process identifiers for different users on a multi-user device, they must ensure that the resulting file path strictly adheres to expected directory structures. The failure to do so allows an attacker to manipulate the input string in ways that bypass intended access controls, effectively tricking the service into reading files outside of its designated scope.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability is classified under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, often referred to as path traversal or directory traversal. The core mechanism involves the injection of special characters such as dot-dot-slash sequences (../) into the user identifier string passed to the service. Because the validation logic does not properly resolve these relative paths against the base directory before performing file operations, it becomes possible for an application with lower privileges to access configuration files belonging to other users or system-level components that should remain isolated. This lack of strict path canonicalization means that even if basic permission checks are in place based on user IDs, the underlying file system operation can be redirected to read arbitrary XML configuration files stored within the Android data directory structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant because it enables local information disclosure without requiring any additional execution privileges or direct user interaction for exploitation. An attacker who has already gained a foothold on the device through another vector, such as installing a malicious application with standard permissions, can exploit this flaw to read sensitive locale configuration files from other users. These files may contain metadata about regional settings that could be used for further profiling of the victim or potentially aid in more sophisticated attacks targeting specific localization features. Since no user interaction is required, the attack vector is highly efficient and difficult to detect through standard behavioral monitoring alone, as it appears as a legitimate file read operation from the perspective of the operating system's access control mechanisms.
This type of vulnerability aligns with several techniques found in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for mobile platforms, particularly those related to unauthorized data collection and lateral movement within the device environment. By exploiting this path traversal flaw, an adversary can gather intelligence about other users on a shared device, which is common in enterprise or family-sharing scenarios. The ability to bypass permission boundaries through file system manipulation rather than direct API abuse represents a subtle but dangerous escalation of privilege that undermines the isolation guarantees provided by Android's multi-user architecture.
To mitigate this vulnerability, developers must implement rigorous input validation and path canonicalization within all service methods that construct file paths based on user identifiers or other external inputs. The getXmlFileNameForUser function should ensure that any resolved path remains strictly within the expected base directory for locale configurations. This can be achieved by using secure APIs that resolve symbolic links and relative paths to their absolute forms before performing access checks, ensuring that no component of the final path escapes the intended sandboxed environment. Additionally, implementing strict allow-lists for valid user identifiers and rejecting any input containing special characters or sequences indicative of traversal attempts would significantly reduce the attack surface. Regular security audits focusing on file system operations in high-privilege services are essential to prevent similar confusable path issues from being introduced into other parts of the operating system core.