CVE-2026-59022 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2026
In multiple functions of MediaProvider.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 MediaProvider component represents a critical security flaw rooted in flawed access control logic, specifically categorized under CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management and often associated with CWE-732 Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource. This issue arises from logical errors embedded directly into multiple functions of the MediaProvider.java file, which serves as a central content provider for managing media files on Android devices. The core technical flaw involves an insufficient validation mechanism when processing requests to access or manipulate media resources. Instead of strictly enforcing permission checks based on the caller's identity and granted authorities, the code contains logic paths that allow unauthorized entities to bypass these safeguards. This misconfiguration effectively neutralizes the intended security boundaries, allowing processes with lower privileges to interact with protected data structures as if they possessed higher-level permissions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability facilitates local information disclosure without requiring any additional execution privileges from the attacker. The absence of a requirement for elevated system rights means that even applications or components operating under standard user constraints can exploit this flaw. Furthermore, the exploitation does not necessitate direct user interaction, such as clicking through malicious dialogs or confirming prompts, which significantly lowers the barrier to entry for an adversary. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in scenarios where a compromised application with minimal permissions could silently exfiltrate sensitive media metadata, file paths, or content from other applications stored on the device. The lack of user interaction also implies that automated malware can leverage this flaw programmatically and persistently without detection by the end-user.
The impact extends beyond simple data leakage to potential privacy violations and further system compromise. By accessing restricted media information, an attacker could build a detailed profile of the victim's activities based on file names, timestamps, or locations embedded in metadata. This intelligence can be used for social engineering attacks or targeted phishing campaigns. Additionally, depending on how MediaProvider integrates with other system services, this bypass might serve as a stepping stone to more severe vulnerabilities, such as arbitrary code execution if combined with buffer overflow flaws elsewhere in the media handling pipeline. The widespread nature of Android devices makes any flaw in core components like MediaProvider high-risk due to their ubiquity and fundamental role in device functionality.
Mitigation strategies must focus on rigorous input validation and strict enforcement of access controls within the affected functions. Developers should review all code paths in MediaProvider.java that handle media queries, inserts, updates, and deletes to ensure that permission checks are performed consistently before any data is accessed or modified. Implementing principle of least privilege by verifying both the calling application's signature and its declared permissions at runtime is essential. Static analysis tools configured with rules for CWE-269 should be employed during the development lifecycle to detect similar logic errors early. For users, applying the latest security patches provided by device manufacturers is critical, as these updates typically include corrected versions of system components that address such permission bypasses. Until patched, restricting app permissions through manual configuration can reduce the attack surface available to potential exploiters.