CVE-2026-55261 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
In nfa_t4tnfcee_store_rx_buf of nfa_nfcee_act.cc, there is a possible way to achieve code execution due to a missing permission 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 • 11/02/2026
The vulnerability identified in the Android Open Source Project component nfa_nfcee_act.cc, specifically within the function nfa_t4tnfcee_store_rx_buf, represents a critical security flaw rooted in insufficient access control mechanisms. This issue manifests as a missing permission check during the processing of received buffer data for Near Field Communication (NFC) Controller Emulation Environment (NFCEE) operations. In complex mobile operating systems like Android, components handling hardware abstraction layers and low-level communication protocols must strictly enforce privilege boundaries to prevent unauthorized entities from manipulating system state or executing arbitrary code. The absence of a proper verification step before storing received buffers allows an attacker who has already gained access to the NFC subsystem interface to bypass intended security restrictions. This flaw is fundamentally categorized under CWE-269, which denotes Improper Privilege Management, as it involves a failure by the software to correctly enforce user privileges during critical operations.
From a technical perspective, the nfa_t4tnfcee_store_rx_buf function serves as an intermediary between hardware-level NFC events and higher-level system services responsible for managing secure elements or embedded security chips. When data is received from the NFCEE, it undergoes processing before being passed to application layers or stored in memory buffers associated with specific privileges. The vulnerability arises because this particular routine does not validate whether the calling context possesses the necessary permissions to perform the store operation. Consequently, a malicious process operating at a lower privilege level can invoke this function and inject crafted data into system-managed buffers without triggering an access denial error. This lack of validation creates a pathway for memory corruption or logic manipulation that can be leveraged to achieve arbitrary code execution within the context of the privileged service handling NFC communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it facilitates local escalation of privilege with no additional privileges required by the attacker beyond initial access to the vulnerable component. Since user interaction is not needed for exploitation, an application or background process that can interact with the NFC subsystem can exploit this flaw silently and automatically. Once code execution is achieved within the privileged context, the attacker gains control over sensitive system resources, potentially allowing them to read protected data, modify system configurations, install persistent malware, or pivot to further attacks against other components of the operating system. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, highlighting how attackers leverage software flaws to move from a restricted user context to one with elevated rights.
Mitigation strategies must focus on implementing rigorous access control checks within the nfa_t4tnfcee_store_rx_buf function and related NFC subsystem components. Developers should ensure that every entry point into privileged operations verifies the caller's identity and permissions against defined security policies before proceeding with buffer storage or data processing. Additionally, adopting a principle of least privilege ensures that only authorized processes can interact with sensitive NFCEE interfaces. Regular code audits focusing on permission checks in hardware abstraction layers are essential to prevent similar oversights. Furthermore, employing runtime protection mechanisms such as memory safety features and sandboxing can limit the blast radius if an exploitation attempt occurs, thereby reducing the risk of full system compromise despite the presence of underlying vulnerabilities.