CVE-2026-58871 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
In set_type4_frame_classifier of sta_iface.cpp, there is a possible memory safety issue 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 • 11/02/2026
The vulnerability identified in the set_type4_frame_classifier function within sta_iface.cpp represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow condition that poses significant risks to system integrity and confidentiality. This specific flaw arises from an improper handling of input data during the classification process of type 4 frames, which are commonly associated with management actions in wireless networking protocols such as Wi-Fi. The root cause lies in the failure to adequately validate or bound-check user-supplied or network-derived buffer lengths before copying them into a pre-allocated heap memory region. When an attacker provides a payload that exceeds the expected size of the destination buffer, the excess data overwrites adjacent memory locations on the heap. This corruption can alter critical program state variables, function pointers, or control structures stored in nearby memory blocks, thereby allowing for arbitrary code execution under the context of the vulnerable process.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-122, which describes a heap-based buffer overflow where data is written beyond the bounds of a dynamically allocated buffer on the heap rather than the stack. The exploitation mechanism typically involves crafting malformed frame headers or payload contents that trigger the erroneous memory write operation during the classification phase. Because the function operates within the station interface layer, it processes incoming wireless frames directly from the network interface controller driver or firmware abstraction layer. This positioning allows an attacker to exploit the flaw remotely by transmitting specially crafted packets over a local area network without requiring any prior authentication or user interaction. The absence of necessary execution privileges for exploitation means that even unauthenticated users on the same network segment can potentially trigger this vulnerability, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for attackers.
The operational impact of successfully exploiting this heap buffer overflow is severe and multifaceted. Initially, it leads to a local escalation of privilege because the vulnerable function likely runs with elevated permissions necessary to manage wireless connections and interface states. By corrupting memory structures such as virtual tables or allocation metadata, an attacker can redirect program execution flow to inject and execute shellcode within the process space. This results in full compromise of the affected system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Sensitive data stored in memory may be exfiltrated, or the system could be turned into a pivot point for further attacks against other networked devices. Furthermore, since user interaction is not required, the vulnerability can be exploited automatically by malware or automated scanning tools targeting vulnerable wireless stacks, leading to widespread compromise if left unpatched.
In terms of threat modeling and industry standards, this vulnerability maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, specifically when the attack vector involves a network service like Wi-Fi drivers or stack implementations. It also relates to initial access vectors where no user interaction is needed, making it particularly dangerous in public or semi-public wireless environments such as coffee shops, airports, and corporate guest networks. The lack of input validation highlights a fundamental weakness in secure coding practices regarding memory management for external inputs. To mitigate this risk, developers must implement rigorous bounds checking before any memcpy or similar buffer copy operations are performed on heap-allocated structures. Utilizing static analysis tools to detect potential overflows during the development phase and employing dynamic fuzzing techniques against frame classification logic can help identify such flaws early in the software lifecycle.
System administrators should prioritize applying vendor-provided patches that address this specific memory safety issue as soon as they become available. In environments where patching is not immediately feasible, network segmentation strategies can provide a layer of defense by isolating wireless clients from critical internal infrastructure and restricting access to management interfaces. Additionally, enabling advanced threat detection systems capable of identifying anomalous frame sizes or malformed packet structures at the network perimeter can help mitigate exploitation attempts. Long-term remediation requires adopting memory-safe programming languages for new development initiatives and enforcing strict code review processes that focus on input validation and buffer boundary checks in existing C++ codebases to prevent similar heap corruption vulnerabilities from being introduced in future updates.