CVE-2026-58977 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
In is_valid_header of timed_cache_item.c, there is a possible out-of-bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System 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 is_valid_header function within timed_cache_item.c represents a critical memory safety flaw characterized by an out-of-bounds write resulting from insufficient input validation. This specific defect occurs when the software fails to verify that data indices or lengths fall within the allocated boundaries of a buffer before performing write operations. In the context of cache management systems, such as those found in operating system kernels or high-performance networking stacks, headers often dictate how subsequent data blocks are processed and stored. When the bounds check is missing, an attacker can supply crafted input that causes the application to write data beyond the end of a designated memory region. This type of flaw is classically categorized under CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write in standard vulnerability taxonomy frameworks, which highlights the fundamental failure to enforce array or buffer limits during runtime execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for local privilege escalation. Because the out-of-bounds write occurs within a component that likely operates with elevated privileges, such as System-level access, successfully exploiting this flaw allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory structures. These overwritten regions may contain critical control data, including function pointers, return addresses, or security-critical flags used by the operating system's kernel or privileged services. By carefully crafting the payload to target specific memory layouts, an attacker can hijack execution flow or modify access control mechanisms, thereby achieving arbitrary code execution with System privileges. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to gain higher-level permissions on the compromised host without requiring direct authentication or user interaction.
The exploitability profile of this vulnerability is particularly concerning because it does not require user interaction. This absence of a social engineering component means that any local process with access to the affected interface can trigger the flaw automatically. In many modern operating environments, even unprivileged users may have pathways to interact with system caches or shared memory segments used by background services. Consequently, this vulnerability serves as an effective pivot point for attackers who already possess limited shell access on a target machine. By leveraging this out-of-bounds write, they can bypass standard security controls and elevate their session to that of the SYSTEM account, effectively taking full control over the host environment.
Mitigation strategies must focus on both immediate code remediation and broader architectural improvements. The primary fix involves implementing rigorous bounds checking within the is_valid_header function to ensure that all memory writes remain strictly within allocated limits before execution proceeds. Developers should employ static analysis tools configured to detect CWE-787 patterns during the software development lifecycle, ensuring such defects are caught prior to deployment. Additionally, enabling compiler-level protections such as stack canaries, Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), and Data Execution Prevention (DEP) can significantly raise the barrier for successful exploitation by making memory layout unpredictable and preventing code execution in data regions. Long-term resilience requires adopting secure coding practices that prioritize input validation at all entry points into privileged subsystems, thereby reducing the attack surface available to local adversaries seeking privilege escalation opportunities.