CVE-2026-55323 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2026
In gf_base_update_finger_base of gf_base.c, there is a possible out-of-bounds write due to a heap buffer overflow. 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 • 09/15/2026
The vulnerability identified in the gf_base_update_finger_base function within the gf_base.c source file represents a critical security flaw characterized by an out-of-bounds write resulting from a heap buffer overflow. This type of memory corruption error occurs when the application writes data beyond the allocated boundaries of a heap-allocated buffer, potentially overwriting adjacent memory structures that are managed by the allocator or containing other variables and control flow information. The root cause typically stems from insufficient validation of input parameters or loop bounds before performing write operations on dynamically allocated memory regions. In this specific context, the lack of rigorous boundary checks allows an attacker to manipulate the heap layout in a way that compromises the integrity of critical data structures residing immediately after the target buffer.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for local privilege escalation. Since the flaw involves writing arbitrary data into memory regions controlled by the operating system or higher-privilege processes, an attacker can potentially overwrite function pointers, return addresses, or security-critical metadata such as heap chunk headers. By carefully crafting the overflow payload, a malicious actor can redirect program execution to shellcode injected into the same process space or hijack control flow to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges. The severity is further amplified by the fact that no additional execution privileges are required for exploitation, meaning any local user account on the affected system can potentially trigger this condition without needing prior administrative access or specific application launch contexts.
Furthermore, the requirement of zero user interaction significantly increases the risk profile associated with this vulnerability. Unlike vulnerabilities that require a victim to click a malicious link or open a crafted file, this flaw can likely be triggered through automated means or background processes that interact with the vulnerable component. This characteristic makes it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or systems where untrusted users have access to certain services or interfaces that invoke the gf_base_update_finger_base function. The absence of user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation, allowing attackers to develop reliable exploit chains that do not rely on social engineering tactics to succeed.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-122, which denotes heap-based buffer overflow, and is closely related to CWE-787, an out-of-bounds write in the context of memory safety violations. In terms of offensive security frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK, this flaw facilitates techniques associated with privilege escalation via local exploits, specifically falling under tactics that involve gaining higher-level access on a compromised host. The ability to escalate privileges without user interaction places it within high-impact categories where automated exploitation tools can leverage the memory corruption to bypass standard access controls and security boundaries established by the operating system kernel or application sandboxing mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies must focus primarily on code hardening and rigorous input validation. Developers should implement strict bounds checking before any write operation is performed on heap buffers, ensuring that indices and lengths are validated against the actual allocated size of the buffer. Utilizing static analysis tools during the software development lifecycle can help identify such off-by-one errors or unchecked loop conditions early in the process. Additionally, enabling compiler-based security features such as stack protectors, although less effective for heap overflows compared to stack issues, combined with Address Sanitizers (ASan) during testing phases, can aid in detecting these memory corruption bugs before deployment. On a system level, deploying exploit mitigation techniques like Data Execution Prevention and Address Space Layout Randomization can reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation by making it more difficult for attackers to predict memory layouts and execute injected code, although these measures serve as defense-in-depth rather than primary fixes for the underlying coding error.