CVE-2026-58874 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2026
In multiple functions of SmsController.java, there is a possible escalation of privilege due to a missing permission 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 • 09/09/2026
The vulnerability identified in the SmsController.java component represents a critical security flaw rooted in insufficient access control mechanisms, specifically categorized under CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management. This issue manifests across multiple functions within the controller class, indicating that the lack of mandatory permission verification is not an isolated incident but rather a systemic architectural deficiency affecting various entry points for SMS-related operations. The core technical flaw lies in the absence of explicit checks to validate whether the invoking user or process possesses the requisite administrative privileges before executing sensitive actions. In typical Android application architectures, controllers often handle intents that may be triggered by other applications or system services; without rigorous validation against defined permission levels such as android.permission.SEND_SMS or specific internal role-based access controls, any entity with basic network connectivity can invoke these methods. This oversight allows an attacker to bypass intended security boundaries and execute privileged commands directly through the application interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, primarily due to its potential for local privilege escalation. An adversary who gains a foothold within the device environment, even at a low-privilege level such as that of a standard third-party app or a compromised user session, can exploit these unchecked endpoints to perform actions reserved exclusively for system administrators or higher-level services. This includes sending unauthorized SMS messages, potentially incurring financial costs for the victim, manipulating communication logs, or using the application's elevated capabilities as a stepping stone to compromise more critical system components. The severity is further amplified by the fact that exploitation requires no user interaction and does not demand additional execution privileges beyond those already granted to the initial attacking process. This characteristic makes it highly attractive for automated malware campaigns where stealth and ease of propagation are paramount, allowing malicious code to silently escalate its rights without triggering user alerts or requiring complex social engineering tactics.
From a threat modeling perspective aligned with MITRE ATT&CK frameworks, this vulnerability facilitates techniques associated with Privilege Escalation on the Endpoint (T1068) and potentially Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism (T1548). The lack of permission checks effectively neutralizes the operating system's built-in sandboxing protections, which are designed to isolate applications from one another. By exploiting this flaw, an attacker can transition from a confined application context into a broader system context, thereby increasing their attack surface significantly. This could lead to further exploitation vectors such as data exfiltration or persistence mechanisms that rely on higher-level permissions not normally accessible to the compromised component.
To mitigate this vulnerability, immediate remediation efforts must focus on implementing robust access control checks within every public method of SmsController.java. Developers should utilize Android's built-in permission verification APIs, such as Context.checkCallingPermission() or ActivityManager.isProtectedIntent(), to ensure that only authorized callers can execute sensitive functions. Additionally, adopting a principle of least privilege across the application architecture is essential; each component should request and operate with only the minimum permissions necessary for its specific function. Implementing strict input validation alongside these permission checks will further harden the application against unauthorized access attempts. Regular security audits and static code analysis tools configured to detect missing authorization logic are recommended to prevent similar oversights in future development cycles, ensuring that privilege boundaries remain intact and enforceable throughout the application's lifecycle.