CVE-2026-58695 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2026
In gmc_phy_lp3_exit_restore_registers of phy_power.c, there is a possible escalation of privilege due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System 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 function gmc_phy_lp3_exit_restore_registers within the phy_power.c module represents a critical security flaw characterized by an absence of proper bounds checking during register restoration operations. This specific defect allows for potential privilege escalation, enabling an attacker to achieve system-level execution privileges on the affected device. The core technical issue stems from insufficient validation of input parameters or memory offsets used when accessing hardware registers associated with physical layer power management states. In embedded systems and mobile processors, such functions are responsible for managing low-power state transitions, particularly during exit from LP3 (Low Power 3) modes where register contexts must be carefully restored to ensure stable operation. Without rigorous boundary verification, the function may write to or read from memory locations outside the intended scope, potentially overwriting critical control structures or executing arbitrary code paths that bypass standard security controls.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns with CWE-125, Out-of-bounds Read, and CWE-787, Out-of-bounds Write, depending on whether the missing check leads to unauthorized data exposure or memory corruption. The lack of bounds validation means that if an attacker can influence the inputs passed to gmc_phy_lp3_exit_restore_registers through lower-level system calls or kernel interfaces, they may trigger out-of-bound accesses that compromise kernel integrity. Since this function operates at a low level within the power management subsystem, successful exploitation could allow local privilege escalation from unprivileged user space to ring 0 execution privileges. The requirement for System execution privileges indicates that once exploited, the attacker gains full control over the operating system, including access to sensitive data, ability to install persistent malware, and potential lateral movement across networked systems if connected devices are compromised.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its local nature and lack of user interaction requirement for exploitation. Attackers do not need social engineering tactics or physical presence beyond initial code execution capabilities; instead, they can exploit the flaw through automated scripts targeting known kernel interfaces. This significantly lowers the barrier to entry for attackers seeking elevated privileges on affected devices. In mobile environments where multiple applications run with varying privilege levels, this vulnerability could allow a malicious application to escalate its permissions and access protected resources such as cryptographic keys, personal data, or system configurations. Furthermore, because power management functions are frequently invoked during device state transitions like sleep-wake cycles, the attack surface is broadened by normal usage patterns that trigger these code paths without explicit user action.
Mitigation strategies must focus on implementing strict input validation and bounds checking within the gmc_phy_lp3_exit_restore_registers function to prevent out-of-bounds memory access. Developers should enforce parameter sanitization routines that verify all offsets, lengths, and indices against predefined limits before performing register operations. Additionally, enabling compiler-based security features such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization (ASLR), and control flow integrity (CFI) can help mitigate the impact of exploitation attempts by making memory corruption attacks more difficult to execute successfully. Kernel hardening techniques including SELinux policies or AppArmor profiles should be reviewed to ensure that even if privilege escalation occurs, further system compromise is restricted through mandatory access controls. Regular security audits focusing on low-level hardware interaction code and integration testing with fuzzing tools targeting power management subsystems will help identify similar vulnerabilities before deployment in production environments.
This vulnerability maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, specifically within the context of local kernel exploitation scenarios where attackers leverage software flaws to gain higher-level access than initially granted. The absence of user interaction requirement places it firmly in automated attack vectors that do not rely on human error or deception tactics. Organizations deploying affected hardware should prioritize patching this issue through firmware updates and ensure that device management systems enforce regular security compliance checks. For developers, adopting secure coding practices such as static analysis tools integrated into continuous integration pipelines can catch these types of memory safety issues early in the development lifecycle. Ultimately, addressing this vulnerability requires a comprehensive approach combining code-level fixes with broader architectural improvements to limit the blast radius of potential exploits and maintain system integrity under adversarial conditions.