Google Android: Local privilege escalation via permission bypass
Summary
Google Android contains a permission bypass caused by a confused deputy in dialInternal in multiple locations. A local app or process with low privileges can use it to escalate privileges on the device. No user interaction is required. Google rates the issue High in the Framework section of the October 2026 bulletin, and the CVSS base score is 7.8.
Affected
- Android 14, 15, 16, 16-qpr2 and 17 (AOSP versions per the October 2026 bulletin)
- Devices with a security patch level before 2026-10-01
Fixed in
- Security patch level 2026-10-01 or later
- Device-specific availability and fix dates per OEM or carrier: Unknown.
Workaround
Unknown. Google documents no workaround. Restricting sideloading and unvetted apps reduces the local attack path.
Exploitation
- Not indicated as exploited in the wild in the vendor bulletin.
- No public proof of concept found.
Our recommendation
- Enforce security patch level 2026-10-01 or later on all Android devices via MDM.
- Prioritize unmanaged BYOD phones and devices with outdated Android versions.
- Restrict sideloading and allow app installation only from vetted sources.
- Monitor the Android Security Bulletin for updates.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Android Security Bulletin, October 2026 source.android.com
- Hexnode Threat Watch: Android October 2026 security update www.hexnode.com
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 2 Nov 2026, 06:25.
Original description (NVD)
In dialInternal in multiple locations, there is a possible permission bypass 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.
NVD references (1)
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
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