CVE-2026-58766 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2026
In multiple functions of arm-smmu-v3.c, there is a possible escalation of privilege due to a logic error in the code. 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 within the Linux kernel driver for ARM System Memory Management Unit version three, specifically located in arm-smmu-v3.c, represents a critical logic error that facilitates unauthorized elevation of system privileges. This flaw arises from insufficient validation or incorrect state management during memory translation operations managed by the SMMU hardware component. The SMMU acts as an intermediary between devices and physical memory, translating device virtual addresses to physical addresses while enforcing access permissions defined in stream tables and context descriptors. When a logic error exists within this driver layer, it can allow malicious actors or compromised processes to manipulate these translation structures improperly. Such manipulation bypasses the intended security boundaries enforced by the hardware, effectively allowing lower-privileged entities to execute operations reserved for higher-privilege contexts, such as kernel space access or modification of critical system data structures.
From a technical perspective, this logic error likely involves race conditions, integer overflows, or improper checks on input parameters passed from user-space applications or other drivers into the SMMU management functions. For instance, if the driver fails to properly validate stream IDs or context descriptor indices before programming them into hardware registers, an attacker could craft specific ioctl calls or memory mappings that trigger unintended behavior in the translation lookaside buffer (TLB) or page table walks. This misconfiguration can result in a device being granted access to physical memory regions it should not reach, including kernel memory spaces containing sensitive credentials, cryptographic keys, or control structures for other processes. The absence of required execution privileges means that any local user account on the system, regardless of its initial permission level, can potentially exploit this flaw without needing prior authentication beyond basic login capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it directly compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the entire operating system environment. Local privilege escalation allows an attacker to gain root-level access or equivalent administrative rights on the affected device. Once elevated privileges are obtained, the attacker can install persistent malware, steal sensitive data such as personal identifiable information or corporate secrets, modify system configurations to maintain persistence, or pivot to attack other systems within a network if the compromised host serves as a gateway. Since user interaction is not required for exploitation, automated tools and scripts can rapidly propagate this vulnerability across networks of vulnerable devices without engaging human operators, significantly increasing the risk of widespread compromise in enterprise environments relying on ARM-based infrastructure.
This issue aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) categories such as CWE-20 Improper Input Validation and CWE-862 Missing Authorization, reflecting the failure to correctly verify inputs or enforce access controls before performing privileged operations. In terms of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability supports techniques associated with Local Privilege Escalation, specifically those involving exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation (T1068) and potentially abuse of system configuration mechanisms if the SMMU settings are manipulated to hide malicious activity. The lack of user interaction also correlates with automated attack vectors where exploit code can run silently in the background after initial access is gained through other means, such as phishing or remote code execution vulnerabilities on adjacent systems.
Mitigation strategies must focus primarily on applying vendor-provided security patches that address the specific logic errors within arm-smmu-v3.c. System administrators should prioritize updating kernel versions to include fixes for this vulnerability immediately upon release by distribution maintainers. In environments where patching is not immediately feasible, implementing strict access controls and monitoring tools can help detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. This includes auditing system calls related to memory management and SMMU configuration, as well as employing intrusion detection systems configured to recognize patterns associated with privilege escalation exploits. Additionally, enforcing least-privilege principles across all user accounts reduces the attack surface by limiting the potential impact if an individual account is compromised. Regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on kernel-level vulnerabilities are recommended to identify similar logic flaws in other subsystems before they can be exploited maliciously.