CVE-2026-55270 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 10/05/2026
In dialInternal in multiple locations, there is a possible permission bypass due to a confused deputy. 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 • 10/06/2026
The vulnerability identified within the dialInternal function represents a classic Confused Deputy problem, where a trusted component acts on behalf of an untrusted user but fails to properly validate whether it has the authority to perform specific actions in that context. This flaw allows an attacker with local access to manipulate system behavior by exploiting the misinterpretation of identity or permissions during internal communication processes. Because the vulnerability resides within core dialing logic, which often interfaces directly with operating system resources and network stacks, the potential for privilege escalation is significant. The absence of required execution privileges means that even users with minimal initial access can trigger this flaw, while the lack of need for user interaction further lowers the barrier to exploitation, making it a high-risk issue in multi-user environments or systems where local account security is paramount.
From a technical perspective, the confusion arises because the dialInternal function likely assumes that any call originating from within its own process space is inherently safe and authorized. However, without rigorous checks on the effective user ID (EUID) or group IDs of the calling context, malicious code can craft requests that appear legitimate to the internal logic but are intended to perform privileged operations such as binding to low-numbered ports, accessing restricted files, or modifying system configurations. This type of error is frequently categorized under CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management and CWE-829 Inclusion of Functionality with Uncontrolled From an External Source when the input triggers specific internal paths that bypass standard access controls. The attacker leverages this misconfiguration to execute code or commands at a higher privilege level than intended, effectively elevating their rights from a standard user to potentially root or system-level privileges depending on how dialInternal is integrated into the broader application architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation. Once an attacker gains elevated permissions through this confused deputy flaw, they can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the entire host system. This includes the ability to install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, disable security logging mechanisms, or pivot into other networked systems if the compromised host serves as a gateway. In enterprise environments, such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they do not require social engineering or physical access beyond local login credentials, which can be obtained through various means including phishing or credential stuffing attacks. The ease of exploitation significantly increases the likelihood of successful compromise in targeted campaigns where attackers seek quick footholds for lateral movement.
Mitigation strategies must focus on implementing strict identity verification and least-privilege principles within the dialInternal function. Developers should ensure that all internal calls validate the actual permissions of the caller rather than relying solely on the context of the calling process. This involves explicitly checking effective user IDs, group memberships, and capabilities before allowing any privileged operation to proceed. Additionally, adopting defense-in-depth measures such as mandatory access control systems like SELinux or AppArmor can help contain the blast radius even if this specific vulnerability is exploited by restricting what actions a compromised low-privilege process can perform regardless of its apparent permissions. Regular code audits focusing on inter-process communication and permission handling are essential to identify similar patterns elsewhere in the codebase that may be susceptible to confused deputy attacks.
In terms of threat intelligence frameworks, this vulnerability aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, specifically where attackers leverage software vulnerabilities to gain higher-level access without needing additional execution privileges. It also relates to T1548 Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism if the confusion allows bypassing built-in security controls designed to limit user actions. Security teams should prioritize patching this issue immediately and monitor for indicators of compromise that suggest attempts to exploit local privilege escalation vectors, such as unusual process creation events or unexpected changes in file permissions on critical system binaries. Continuous monitoring and automated vulnerability scanning tools configured to detect confused deputy patterns can help maintain a robust security posture against these subtle but impactful flaws.