CVE-2026-58970 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
In deliverResult of AppTimeTracker.java, there is a possible background activity launch 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.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2026
The vulnerability identified in the deliverResult method within AppTimeTracker.java represents a classic instance of a confused deputy problem, where an application component acts on behalf of another entity but fails to properly verify that it has sufficient permissions or authority to perform the requested action. In this specific context, the flaw allows for the unauthorized launch of background activities by leveraging misconfigured intent flags or insufficient validation of incoming data from external sources. This architectural weakness effectively bypasses standard Android security boundaries because the application trusts input without adequately checking if the caller is authorized to trigger such sensitive operations. The core technical issue lies in the failure to enforce strict identity verification and permission checks before processing results that could initiate new components, thereby allowing any app or process with minimal privileges to manipulate the target application's behavior.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability facilitates a local escalation of privilege without requiring additional execution privileges on the device. An attacker can exploit this flaw by crafting specific malicious intents that trigger the vulnerable deliverResult method, leading to the silent launch of background activities within the compromised app. Since user interaction is not required for exploitation, the attack vector is highly efficient and difficult to detect through normal usage patterns. The ability to start background activities without consent or awareness undermines the integrity of the application's state management and can lead to further malicious actions such as data exfiltration, persistent tracking, or serving as a foothold for more complex multi-stage attacks against the device ecosystem.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-269, which describes Improper Privilege Management, specifically where an actor is granted privileges that exceed their intended scope due to flawed logic in access control mechanisms. Furthermore, it maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1055, Process Injection and related process manipulation tactics under the broader category of Defense Evasion or Persistence depending on how the background activity is utilized. The lack of user interaction requirement places this exploit firmly within automated attack scenarios that can be executed remotely if the vulnerable app exposes an accessible entry point via exported components or shared users with weak isolation policies.
Mitigation strategies must focus on hardening the application's component security model. Developers should ensure that all activities, services, and receivers are explicitly declared as non-exported unless absolutely necessary for inter-app communication. When exporting is required, strict permission checks using android:permission attributes in the manifest file are essential to restrict access to trusted applications only. Additionally, implementing robust input validation within the deliverResult method to verify the source of incoming intents and ensuring that background activity launches adhere to least privilege principles will significantly reduce the attack surface. Regular security audits focusing on confused deputy vulnerabilities and adherence to OWASP Mobile Security Testing Guide best practices are recommended to prevent similar logic flaws in future updates.