CVE-2026-49937 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/05/2026
In multiple functions of MessageQueueBase.h, there is a possible out of bounds read due to an incorrect bounds check. 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 • 10/05/2026
The vulnerability identified in the MessageQueueBase.h component represents a critical memory safety flaw characterized by an improper validation of array or buffer boundaries during read operations. In systems utilizing C++ message queues, particularly those handling inter-process communication or internal system messaging, data integrity relies heavily on strict adherence to allocated memory limits. The specific defect lies within multiple functions where the logic fails to correctly verify that the index or offset used for reading data does not exceed the actual size of the underlying buffer. This miscalculation results in an out-of-bounds read condition, allowing the application to access memory locations adjacent to the intended message queue structure. Such behavior is a classic manifestation of CWE-125, which defines Out-of-Bounds Read as accessing memory beyond the bounds of a buffer, potentially leading to information disclosure or unstable system state depending on what data resides in that adjacent memory space.
From an operational perspective, this flaw poses a significant risk because it does not require user interaction for exploitation and can be triggered by local processes without elevated privileges initially. An attacker with access to the local environment can craft specific messages or trigger specific code paths within the message queue subsystem to induce the out-of-bounds read. By carefully analyzing the memory layout, an adversary may leverage this information leak to discover sensitive data stored in adjacent heap regions, such as pointers, security tokens, or other process metadata. This capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, File and Directory Discovery, where attackers gather system information to facilitate further exploitation steps. The ability to read arbitrary memory locations provides the attacker with crucial intelligence about the target environment, which is often a prerequisite for more complex attacks like heap spraying or precise return-oriented programming chains.
The potential for local privilege escalation stems from the fact that message queue handlers typically run within privileged contexts or have access to sensitive system resources. If an out-of-bounds read allows an attacker to leak critical pointers or security descriptors, they can manipulate subsequent memory allocations or function calls to redirect execution flow. For instance, leaking a stack pointer or a heap metadata field could enable the overwriting of control data in later operations, leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the compromised process. Since no additional execution privileges are needed initially, this vulnerability serves as an effective entry point for privilege escalation attacks on systems where local users have access to these messaging services. This scenario is consistent with CWE-269, Improper Privilege Management, and CWE-787, Out-of-bounds Write if the read leads to subsequent write operations via corrupted state, though here the primary concern is the information leak leading to escalation.
Mitigation strategies must focus on rigorous input validation and memory safety enforcement within the MessageQueueBase implementation. Developers should implement strict boundary checks before any array indexing or pointer arithmetic operation involving message queue data structures. Utilizing safe container classes that perform automatic bounds checking, such as std::vector with its at() method instead of direct operator[], can prevent these errors in C++ environments. Additionally, enabling compiler-level protections like AddressSanitizer during development and testing phases is essential for detecting out-of-bounds accesses early in the software lifecycle. On a system administration level, applying principle of least privilege to services utilizing message queues can limit the impact if exploitation occurs. Regular security audits focusing on memory management patterns and static analysis tools configured to detect CWE-125 violations are recommended to ensure long-term resilience against this class of vulnerabilities.