CVE-2026-55262 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
In setNotificationListenerAccessGrantedForUserInternal of NotificationManagerService.java, there is a possible policy desynchronization due to improper input validation. 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 • 11/03/2026
The vulnerability identified in the setNotificationListenerAccessGrantedForUserInternal method within NotificationManagerService.java represents a critical security flaw rooted in insufficient input validation and state management inconsistencies. This specific component is responsible for managing which applications are permitted to access notification data, a sensitive operation that requires strict adherence to system policies. The core technical issue lies in the failure of the service to properly synchronize its internal policy states with the underlying permission grants when processing requests from user contexts. When an application or process attempts to modify these permissions, the system fails to validate whether the requested state change is consistent with existing security constraints and current user privileges. This lack of rigorous validation allows for a condition where the logical enforcement of access controls becomes desynchronized from the actual implementation details stored in memory or persistent storage. Such policy desynchronization creates a window of opportunity where an attacker can manipulate the internal state to bypass intended restrictions, effectively tricking the system into believing that unauthorized access is legitimate and authorized.
From an operational perspective, this flaw facilitates local privilege escalation without requiring any additional execution privileges beyond those already held by the malicious application or process exploiting it. Because user interaction is not required for exploitation, the attack vector is particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically in the background, often through a compromised app that has been installed on the device. The attacker does not need to deceive a human operator into clicking a link or approving a prompt; instead, they can programmatically invoke the vulnerable method with crafted inputs that exploit the validation gap. This leads to an escalation of privilege where the malicious entity gains access to notification data from other applications or system services that should remain isolated. The impact extends beyond simple data leakage, as notifications often contain sensitive information such as one-time passwords, private messages, and financial alerts, making this a significant threat to user privacy and account security.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation, specifically regarding the failure to verify that inputs are well-formed and within expected parameters before processing them in critical system functions. Furthermore, it relates to CWE-693 Protection Mechanism Failure, as the desynchronization of policy states effectively neutralizes the intended security controls designed by the developers. In terms of offensive cybersecurity frameworks, this behavior is consistent with ATT&CK technique T1055 Process Injection or more broadly T1078 Valid Accounts if the attacker leverages legitimate but compromised credentials to manipulate system services. The lack of user interaction places it firmly in the realm of automated exploitation vectors that can be chained with other vulnerabilities for deeper system compromise.
Mitigation strategies must focus on strengthening input validation and ensuring atomicity in state changes within the NotificationManagerService. Developers should implement strict checks to verify that any request to modify notification listener access is consistent with current policy states and user permissions before applying them. It is crucial to ensure that all related database updates or memory state modifications are performed atomically, preventing partial updates that could lead to desynchronization. Additionally, implementing comprehensive logging for permission changes can aid in detecting anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. For system administrators and users, keeping the operating system updated with the latest security patches provided by the vendor is essential, as these updates typically contain fixes for such logic flaws. Restricting the installation of applications from unknown sources also reduces the attack surface by limiting the number of potential entry points that could attempt to exploit this vulnerability in NotificationManagerService.java.