CVE-2026-59001 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
In checkQueryPermission of TelephonyProvider.java, there is a possible permission bypass due to a logic error in the code. This could lead to local information disclosure 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 within the TelephonyProvider component of Android systems represents a critical security flaw rooted in flawed access control logic, specifically located within the checkQueryPermission method. As a cyber security specialist analyzing this issue, it is evident that the core problem lies in an insufficient validation mechanism when processing queries against telephony-related data stores. The system fails to correctly enforce mandatory access controls before granting read operations on sensitive information such as call logs, SMS messages, or contact details stored within the provider. This logic error allows processes with lower privilege levels than intended to bypass standard permission checks, effectively treating unauthorized requests as legitimate due to a failure in the conditional branching that verifies user permissions against the requested resource type.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns closely with CWE-284 Improper Access Control and CWE-755: Improper Handling of Exceptional Conditions if the error stems from an unhandled edge case where permission verification is skipped or incorrectly evaluated. The TelephonyProvider serves as a central repository for sensitive communication data on Android devices, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking to harvest personal information without triggering standard security alerts. Because the vulnerability exists within the provider layer itself rather than in individual application code, any app that can interact with this content resolver is potentially affected if it exploits this specific logic gap. The absence of proper authorization checks means that the system relies on implicit trust or flawed assumptions about the caller's identity and privileges, which can be manipulated through crafted intents or direct URI manipulation targeting internal provider endpoints.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, primarily characterized by local information disclosure. An attacker who gains access to a vulnerable device, whether through physical proximity or via malware installed on the same system, can exploit this flaw to extract sensitive telephony data without requiring elevated privileges such as root access. This capability significantly lowers the barrier for exploitation since no additional execution privileges are needed beyond basic application installation and runtime permissions that might already be granted by users during normal app usage. Furthermore, because user interaction is not required for exploitation, automated malware can silently exfiltrate call history or message content in the background, leading to privacy violations, identity theft risks, and potential blackmail scenarios depending on the nature of the disclosed information.
This behavior maps directly to several techniques within the MITRE ATT&CK framework for mobile platforms. Specifically, it corresponds to T1005: Data from Local System where an adversary collects data stored locally on a compromised device. Additionally, since the exploitation involves bypassing standard security features like permissions and access controls, it also aligns with T1623: Permission Bypasses. The lack of user interaction further facilitates stealthy persistence and data staging, allowing attackers to maintain long-term access without detection by end-users who remain unaware that their private communications are being harvested.
Mitigation strategies must focus on both immediate patching and broader architectural improvements within the Android framework. Google should release a security update that corrects the logic in checkQueryPermission to ensure strict validation of caller identity against required permissions before any data retrieval occurs. Developers integrating with TelephonyProvider must audit their code for reliance on implicit provider behaviors and implement explicit permission checks where possible, although this vulnerability exists at the system level so application-side fixes are limited until a patch is available. System administrators should enforce device encryption to protect stored telephony data at rest and restrict app installation sources to trusted repositories to reduce the attack surface. Users can mitigate risk by keeping their devices updated with the latest security patches and reviewing app permissions regularly, revoking access for applications that do not have a legitimate need for telephony-related data.