CVE-2026-55288 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
In validEfCfis of SIMRecords.java, there is a possible way to cause a denial of service due to an uncaught exception. 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 SimRecords.java component within the Android telephony framework represents a critical flaw rooted in improper error handling and input validation mechanisms. Specifically, this issue manifests as an uncaught exception during the processing of SIM-related data structures or commands. In complex systems like mobile operating system frameworks, components such as SimRecords are responsible for managing state information regarding Subscriber Identity Module cards, including network registration status, service availability, and stored contacts. When these modules fail to properly validate incoming parameters or handle edge cases in their internal logic, they can trigger runtime exceptions that propagate up the call stack without being intercepted by appropriate catch blocks. This lack of defensive programming allows a malformed request or unexpected state transition to crash the associated system process rather than failing gracefully with an error code returned to the caller.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns closely with CWE-248: Unhandled Exception and CWE-755: Improper Handling of Unexpected Condition. The core issue lies in the absence of robust exception handling routines that would otherwise isolate faults within specific functional boundaries. When an uncaught exception occurs in a system-level service like the telephony framework, it often results in the termination of the entire process hosting that service. In Android architecture, critical services are frequently managed by the System Server or dedicated daemon processes responsible for maintaining core connectivity functions. A crash in these areas does not merely affect a single application but can destabilize broader subsystems dependent on continuous availability from the telephony stack.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for local privilege escalation and denial of service. While the initial manifestation is a denial of service, where the user may experience loss of cellular connectivity or system instability, the deeper risk involves privilege escalation. In many Android implementations, certain high-privileged processes run with elevated permissions necessary to manage hardware resources and network interfaces. If an attacker can trigger this uncaught exception in a context that allows for subsequent exploitation—such as by manipulating memory states or leveraging race conditions during the crash recovery phase—they may achieve code execution within the security domain of the compromised process. This effectively bypasses standard application sandboxing restrictions, granting the attacker access to sensitive data and system controls typically reserved for the operating system kernel or privileged services.
Exploitation of this vulnerability requires no user interaction and does not necessitate additional privileges on the part of the attacker prior to exploitation. This characteristic significantly lowers the barrier for attack execution, making it viable for automated malware or remote exploits that target vulnerable devices over network interfaces if the telephony stack is exposed via specific APIs or broadcast receivers. The lack of required user consent means that background processes or malicious applications installed with minimal permissions can potentially trigger this condition simply by sending malformed intents or data packets to the affected component, leading to immediate system disruption or potential compromise depending on the exact execution context and version-specific mitigations present in the device firmware.
To mitigate these risks, developers must implement rigorous input validation for all parameters passed into SimRecords methods and ensure that every potentially hazardous operation is wrapped in try-catch blocks designed to handle specific exception types gracefully. Logging detailed error information without exposing sensitive data can aid in debugging while preventing attackers from gaining insights into internal system states through stack traces. Furthermore, adopting secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and adhering to Android security guidelines for telephony components is essential. System administrators should ensure that devices are updated with the latest patches provided by OEMs, which typically include fixes for these underlying framework flaws. Regular code audits focusing on exception handling logic and stress testing of edge cases can further reduce the likelihood of such vulnerabilities persisting in production environments.