CVE-2026-58884 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
In startTetheredHotspotRequest of WifiServiceImpl.java, there is a possible permission bypass due to a confused deputy. 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 startTetheredHotspotRequest method within WifiServiceImpl.java represents a classic confused deputy problem, where an application or service acting on behalf of another entity inadvertently grants access to resources it should not possess. In this specific context, the Android system's Wi-Fi service is designed to manage network connectivity settings, including the creation and configuration of tethered hotspots. The flaw arises because the method fails to adequately verify that the caller has the necessary permissions to initiate a tethered hotspot request before proceeding with the operation. This oversight allows any application installed on the device, regardless of its privilege level or intended functionality, to trigger this system-level action without requiring explicit user interaction or additional execution privileges beyond those already granted to the malicious app at installation time.
From a technical perspective, the core issue lies in the insufficient validation of the caller's identity and permissions within the service implementation. When an application invokes startTetheredHotspotRequest, the system should check if the calling package holds specific high-level permissions such as CHANGE_WIFI_STATE or TETHER_PRIVILEGED. However, due to the confused deputy vulnerability, this check is either bypassed or incorrectly evaluated, allowing lower-privileged apps to execute code paths intended for privileged components. This misconfiguration effectively turns a standard API call into an elevation of privilege vector, enabling local attackers to manipulate network configurations in ways that were not originally permitted by the system's security model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it facilitates local escalation of privileges without requiring user interaction or physical access beyond what is already available through app installation. An attacker who has managed to install a malicious application on the target device can exploit this flaw to enable tethering, potentially bypassing carrier restrictions or data caps if applicable. More critically, by controlling network interfaces and routing configurations, an adversary could redirect traffic, perform man-in-the-middle attacks against other devices connected via the hotspot, or use the device as a pivot point for further lateral movement within a local network. This undermines the integrity of the device's network security posture and exposes sensitive data transmitted over these connections to interception or manipulation.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-269, which describes Improper Privilege Management, specifically where an actor is granted privileges that exceed those required for its intended function. It also maps closely to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion, particularly in mobile environments where system services are often targeted due to their broad access capabilities. The lack of user interaction makes this a high-risk vulnerability as it can be exploited silently in the background once an app is installed, making detection difficult for end-users who may not notice changes in network settings or data usage patterns immediately.
Mitigation strategies must focus on enforcing strict permission checks within the WifiServiceImpl.java codebase to ensure that only authorized applications with appropriate system-level signatures or permissions can invoke startTetheredHotspotRequest. Developers should implement robust identity verification mechanisms, such as checking the calling package's signature against a whitelist of trusted apps or verifying specific Android manifest declarations before proceeding with hotspot initialization. Additionally, adopting principle of least privilege across all service methods and conducting regular code audits for confused deputy patterns are essential steps to prevent similar issues in future updates. Security patches should prioritize tightening these access controls to ensure that system resources remain protected from unauthorized manipulation by lower-privileged entities.