CVE-2026-58966 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
In multiple functions of hppsfilter.c, there is a possible out-of-bounds write due to a stack 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 hppsfilter component represents a critical security flaw characterized by an out-of-bounds write resulting from a stack buffer overflow. This type of memory corruption error occurs when data written to a buffer exceeds its allocated boundaries, overwriting adjacent memory locations on the call stack. In the context of Windows printing subsystems, such flaws are particularly dangerous because they reside in components that often operate with elevated privileges or interact directly with kernel-mode drivers and system services. The presence of this flaw across multiple functions within hppsfilter.c indicates a systemic issue in how input data is validated and handled before being copied into fixed-size stack buffers. This lack of proper bounds checking allows an attacker to control the content written beyond the buffer limit, potentially overwriting critical return addresses or function pointers stored on the stack.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it facilitates local privilege escalation without requiring additional execution privileges from the attacker. Typically, exploiting a stack-based buffer overflow involves manipulating the instruction pointer to redirect code execution to shellcode placed in the overwritten memory space. Since user interaction is not required for exploitation, the attack vector is significantly simplified and more dangerous than vulnerabilities that require phishing or manual intervention by a victim. An unauthenticated local attacker can trigger these functions through various means, such as sending malformed print jobs or interacting with specific printer driver interfaces. Once exploited, the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary code at the privilege level of the compromised process, which often includes SYSTEM-level access on Windows systems depending on how hppsfilter is invoked and its associated security context.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns closely with CWE-121, specifically describing stack-based buffer overflow conditions where input validation fails to prevent writes beyond allocated memory limits. Furthermore, the exploitation technique maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation via process injection or direct code execution following memory corruption. The absence of user interaction places this vulnerability in a high-severity category within common scoring frameworks like CVSS, as it allows for remote or local automated attacks that do not depend on social engineering tactics. This characteristic makes the flaw particularly attractive to malware authors and threat actors seeking rapid lateral movement or persistence within an enterprise environment after initial access is gained through other means.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary defense involves applying vendor-provided security patches that correct the buffer handling logic in hppsfilter.c, ensuring all input data is strictly validated against buffer sizes before copying operations occur. Developers should implement safe string manipulation functions that enforce length limits automatically rather than relying on manual checks which are prone to human error. Additionally, enabling modern operating system protections such as Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) can mitigate the risk of successful exploitation by making it difficult for attackers to predict memory layouts or execute injected code directly from data segments. For administrators, restricting print spooler services to least-privilege accounts and monitoring for anomalous printing activity can provide an additional layer of defense against attempts to exploit this vulnerability in live environments.