CVE-2026-57014 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2026
In phNxpNciHal_ext_process_nfc_init_rsp of phNxpNciHal_ext.cc, there is a possible out-of-bounds write due to a missing bounds 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 • 09/15/2026
The vulnerability identified in the phNxpNciHal_ext_process_nfc_init_rsp function within the phNxpNciHal_ext.cc source file represents a critical memory safety defect characterized by an out-of-bounds write operation. This flaw stems from a fundamental absence of bounds checking when processing NFC initialization responses, allowing malicious actors to manipulate data structures beyond their allocated memory boundaries. In modern operating systems and embedded environments where Near Field Communication hardware interfaces are tightly coupled with system privileges, such memory corruption issues can have severe security implications. The specific nature of this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-787, which classifies out-of-bounds writes as a category of memory safety violations that occur when software writes data to a memory location outside the intended buffer boundary. This type of error is particularly dangerous because it does not merely cause application crashes or denial of service but can fundamentally alter program execution flow and system state.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it facilitates local privilege escalation without requiring additional execution privileges from the attacker. This characteristic significantly lowers the barrier for exploitation, enabling adversaries who have achieved any level of access to potentially gain higher-level permissions on the affected device. The lack of requirement for user interaction further exacerbates the risk profile, allowing for automated or remote-triggered attacks that do not depend on social engineering tactics or physical presence at the point of entry. From a threat modeling perspective, this scenario maps directly to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation, and potentially T1203 if it involves exploiting software vulnerabilities during execution. The ability to escalate privileges locally implies that an attacker could compromise sensitive system components, access protected data stores, or install persistent backdoors with administrative rights.
From a technical standpoint, the missing bounds check in phNxpNciHal_ext_process_nfc_init_rsp suggests inadequate validation of input parameters derived from NFC hardware responses. When processing initialization sequences, systems must rigorously verify that all incoming data fits within predefined buffer limits to prevent stack or heap overflows. The absence of these checks indicates a gap in the defensive coding practices applied during the development phase, possibly due to assumptions about trusted inputs or insufficient review of edge cases involving malformed NFC frames. Such oversights are common in low-level hardware abstraction layers where performance optimization sometimes takes precedence over rigorous security validation. However, given that NFC interfaces often serve as attack vectors for proximity-based exploits, ensuring robust input sanitization is paramount to maintaining system integrity.
Mitigation strategies must focus on implementing strict boundary verification mechanisms within the affected function. Developers should integrate automated static analysis tools and dynamic fuzzing techniques during the software development lifecycle to detect similar vulnerabilities before deployment. Specifically, adding explicit checks to ensure that all indices and lengths associated with NFC response processing remain within valid ranges will prevent out-of-bounds writes. Additionally, employing memory-safe programming languages or libraries where feasible can reduce the likelihood of such errors occurring in future iterations. For systems already affected by this vulnerability, applying vendor-provided patches is essential to close the security gap. Security teams should also monitor for indicators of compromise related to NFC stack interactions and consider disabling unnecessary NFC functionalities if they are not required for business operations, thereby reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries seeking local privilege escalation opportunities.