CVE-2026-58978 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
In multiple locations, there is a possible permission bypass due to a logic error in the code. This could lead to physical 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 described represents a critical security flaw characterized by a logical error within the application's access control mechanisms, resulting in an unauthorized permission bypass. Unlike vulnerabilities that stem from memory corruption or buffer overflows, this issue arises from flawed business logic where the system fails to correctly validate user privileges before granting access to restricted resources or functions. The core technical deficiency lies in the authentication and authorization modules failing to enforce strict role-based or attribute-based access controls consistently across all code paths. This allows an actor with lower-level credentials, or potentially even unauthenticated users depending on the specific implementation context, to execute actions that should be reserved for higher-privileged entities. The absence of proper checks at critical decision points enables the attacker to circumvent intended security boundaries without needing to exploit complex software bugs in underlying libraries or operating system kernels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for physical escalation of privilege. In systems where digital access controls directly influence physical mechanisms, such as industrial control systems, smart building infrastructure, automotive systems, or secure facility entry points, bypassing logical permissions can lead to direct physical consequences. An attacker could potentially unlock doors, disable alarms, manipulate machinery, or gain unauthorized physical presence in restricted areas without triggering standard security alerts that rely on detecting anomalous network traffic or login attempts. This type of escalation is particularly dangerous because it bridges the gap between cyberspace and the physical world, allowing digital exploits to manifest as tangible safety risks or operational disruptions. The severity is further compounded by the fact that user interaction is not required for exploitation. This means the vulnerability can be triggered remotely or automatically through background processes, scripts, or automated tools, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for attackers and increasing the likelihood of successful compromise in real-world scenarios.
From a classification perspective, this flaw aligns with CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management, specifically where the system fails to enforce appropriate privileges during execution. It also relates closely to CWE-862 Missing Authorization, as the application does not ensure that users are authorized to perform specific actions before allowing them to proceed. In terms of offensive security frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK, this vulnerability facilitates techniques associated with Privilege Escalation and potentially Lateral Movement if the gained privileges allow access to other system components. The lack of required user interaction places it in a high-risk category for automated exploitation campaigns, where threat actors can leverage existing toolkits to scan for and exploit such logical flaws at scale without needing social engineering or phishing vectors to trick end-users into initiating the attack sequence.
Mitigation strategies must focus on rigorous code review and formal verification of access control logic rather than solely relying on input validation techniques used for injection attacks. Developers should implement a principle of least privilege, ensuring that every function endpoint explicitly checks user roles against required permissions before execution. Utilizing centralized authorization middleware can help standardize these checks across the application architecture, reducing the risk of inconsistent enforcement in different code modules. Additionally, implementing comprehensive logging and monitoring for permission bypass attempts is crucial for detecting ongoing exploitation activities. Security testing should include logic-based fuzzing and penetration testing that specifically targets authentication flows to identify edge cases where privilege boundaries might be circumvented through malformed requests or state manipulation. Regular audits against industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten will help ensure that logical flaws are identified and remediated before deployment in production environments, thereby maintaining the integrity of both digital and physical security postures.