CVE-2026-58820 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2026
In multiple locations, there is a possible memory safety issue due to integer overflow. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges required.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical class of software defects characterized by improper handling of arithmetic operations that result in values exceeding the maximum capacity of their assigned data types, specifically manifesting as an integer overflow within multiple distinct code paths. This flaw stems from a failure to validate input bounds or perform adequate range checking before executing mathematical calculations, leading to unexpected memory allocation sizes or buffer boundaries being miscalculated by the operating system kernel or application runtime environment. When such an arithmetic error occurs during memory management operations, it often results in the allocation of significantly less memory than intended, creating a heap-based buffer overflow scenario where subsequent write operations exceed the allocated space and corrupt adjacent memory structures. This corruption can overwrite critical control data such as function pointers, return addresses, or object metadata, thereby allowing an attacker to manipulate program execution flow without requiring elevated privileges for initial access.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-190, which denotes Integer Overflow or Wraparound, and frequently serves as the precursor condition for CWE-787, Out-of-bounds Write vulnerabilities. The exploitation of this flaw does not require any special execution privileges beyond those already granted to a standard user account, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where local privilege escalation is a primary threat vector. An attacker can craft specific inputs that trigger the integer overflow during memory allocation or array indexing operations, subsequently triggering the out-of-bounds write through carefully constructed payloads designed to overwrite kernel structures or security-critical variables within the application space. This mechanism bypasses standard access control mechanisms because the vulnerability exists in code paths executed with higher privileges than those of the invoking process, effectively allowing a low-privileged user to execute arbitrary code as root or system administrator.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, primarily centering on local privilege escalation which compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the entire host system. Once an attacker achieves elevated privileges through exploitation, they can install persistent backdoors, modify security policies, access sensitive data stored in protected directories, and disable logging mechanisms to cover their tracks. Furthermore, because the issue exists in multiple locations within the codebase, it suggests a systemic lack of secure coding practices regarding arithmetic validation across various modules or subsystems. This increases the attack surface significantly, as defenders cannot rely on patching a single entry point but must address widespread architectural weaknesses that could be triggered by different user interactions or automated scripts targeting any of the vulnerable functions.
Mitigation strategies must focus on both immediate remediation and long-term preventive measures to eliminate such classes of vulnerabilities from the software lifecycle. Immediate actions should include applying vendor-provided patches that enforce strict input validation and utilize safe arithmetic libraries capable of detecting overflows before they occur, or employing compiler flags such as -ftrapv for GCC/Clang which trigger traps on signed integer overflow conditions during development and testing phases. Long-term mitigation requires integrating static application security testing tools into the continuous integration pipeline to automatically detect potential integer overflow scenarios in source code reviews. Additionally, developers should adopt defensive programming techniques that explicitly check bounds before performing arithmetic operations involving user-supplied data or external inputs, ensuring that all calculations are performed using types with sufficient range or through checked arithmetic functions provided by modern standard libraries. Implementing memory protection mechanisms such as Address Space Layout Randomization and Data Execution Prevention also provides essential layers of defense-in-depth to mitigate the impact if exploitation attempts occur despite preventive controls.