CVE-2026-45524

Executive Summary

CVE-2026-45524 is a high-severity sandbox escape vulnerability in the isSystem method of WifiPermissionsUtil.java within the Android operating system. The flaw stems from a missing permission check that allows a local attacker to escalate privileges without requiring user interaction. Affected systems include Android devices where this component is present, potentially enabling complete compromise of the device's security model and unauthorized access to sensitive data and system functions.

Technical Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the isSystem function of WifiPermissionsUtil.java, a utility class likely responsible for enforcing permission checks related to Wi-Fi system services. The core issue is a missing permission check (CWE-862), which means the function fails to validate whether the caller possesses the necessary privileges before performing a security-sensitive operation. This allows an attacker with local access and low privileges to bypass the intended sandbox restrictions.

The CVSS vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H) indicates that the attack requires local access, low attack complexity, and low privileges, with no user interaction. The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability can impact resources beyond the security scope of the vulnerable component. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all high, reflecting the potential for full system compromise.

This is a classic permission bypass within the Android framework's Wi-Fi subsystem. The isSystem method likely determines if the calling process is a system-level entity, and the missing check allows a non-system app or process to masquerade as or be treated as a system component, thereby escaping the application sandbox. No specific implementation details beyond the NVD description are available.

Exploitation Scenarios

No public PoC or exploit code is available; the attack chain is inferred from the vulnerability class (missing permission check leading to sandbox escape).

1. Reconnaissance/target identification: An attacker with local access to an Android device (e.g., via a malicious app installed by the user or through physical access) identifies that the device runs a vulnerable version of Android containing WifiPermissionsUtil.java with the flawed isSystem method. The attacker may probe the Wi-Fi service interfaces to determine exploitability.

2. Triggering the flaw: The attacker crafts a local application or uses an existing app with limited permissions to invoke the vulnerable isSystem function. Because the missing permission check allows the caller to bypass normal authorization, the attacker's code is incorrectly granted system-level privileges or access to protected Wi-Fi configuration data.

3. Payload/execution method: At the vulnerability-class level, the attacker leverages the elevated privileges to interact with system services that are normally restricted. This could involve modifying Wi-Fi settings, accessing saved network credentials, or injecting malicious configurations. The exact method depends on what the isSystem function protects, but the missing check enables actions that should require system-level permissions.

4. Post-exploitation impact: Successful exploitation results in local privilege escalation and sandbox escape. The attacker can read sensitive data (e.g., Wi-Fi passwords, enterprise credentials), modify system integrity (e.g., install persistent malware, alter security settings), and potentially disrupt availability (e.g., disable network connectivity). The changed scope means the compromise can extend beyond the Wi-Fi subsystem, affecting the entire device.

Impact Assessment

This vulnerability allows a local attacker to escape the application sandbox and gain elevated privileges, leading to high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). The changed scope (S:C) indicates that the vulnerable component's compromise can affect other components, potentially leading to full device takeover. Business impact includes unauthorized access to corporate Wi-Fi credentials, lateral movement within enterprise networks, and persistent malware installation. Affected systems are Android devices with the vulnerable component; the blast radius depends on the number of devices and the sensitivity of data stored on them. With a CVSS score of 8.8, this is a high-severity issue, though no active exploitation in the wild has been reported (CISA KEV: NO).

Detection Guidance

Sigma Rule

title: Android Sandbox Escape via WifiPermissionsUtil isSystem Missing Permission Check
id: 3a4b5c6d-7e8f-9a0b-1c2d-3e4f5a6b7c8d
status: experimental
description: Detects potential exploitation of CVE-2026-45524 through abnormal Wi-Fi permission-related activity on Android devices.
author: Threat Intelligence Team
date: 2026-01-01
logsource:
    product: android
    service: audit
detection:
    selection:
        EventID: 1102  # Placeholder for Android audit event indicating permission bypass
        Message|contains: 'WifiPermissionsUtil'
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate system updates or debugging
level: high

YARA Rule

rule CVE_2026_45524_Android_WifiPermissionsUtil
{
    meta:
        description = "Detects references to vulnerable WifiPermissionsUtil.java component in Android binaries or source"
        author = "Threat Intelligence Team"
        date = "2026-01-01"
        reference = "CVE-2026-45524"
        severity = "high"

    strings:
        $java_class = "WifiPermissionsUtil"
        $method = "isSystem"
        $file = "WifiPermissionsUtil.java"

    condition:
        any of them
}

Suricata IDS Rule

alert ip any any -> any any (msg:"CVE-2026-45524 Android Wi-Fi Permission Bypass Attempt"; content:"WifiPermissionsUtil"; nocase; content:"isSystem"; nocase; classtype:attempted-admin; sid:10000001; rev:1;)

Elastic Detection

process where event.type == "start" and process.name == "app_process" and
  process.args : "*WifiPermissionsUtil*" and process.args : "*isSystem*"

Splunk SPL Query

index=android_logs sourcetype=android:logcat
| search "WifiPermissionsUtil" "isSystem"
| stats count by host, process, message
| where count > 0

Wazuh OSSEC Rule

<group name="android,">
  <rule id="100001" level="10">
    <decoded_as>json</decoded_as>
    <field name="tag">WifiPermissionsUtil</field>
    <description>CVE-2026-45524: Possible Android Wi-Fi permission bypass detected</description>
    <mitre>
      <id>T1068</id>
    </mitre>
  </rule>
</group>

Mitigation & Patch Guidance

Patch confidence: 0/4 (UNPATCHED — no patch evidence from any tracked source).

1. Immediate mitigations:

   • Restrict local access to devices; avoid installing untrusted applications.
   • Monitor for anomalous Wi-Fi configuration changes or permission escalations via EDR/MDM.
   • Apply Android security updates as soon as they become available from the device manufacturer or Google.

2. Patch/upgrade steps:

   • No patch is currently available. Monitor Android Security Bulletin and vendor advisories for updates addressing CVE-2026-45524.
   • Once a patch is released, prioritize deployment to all affected devices.

3. Long-term hardening:

   • Enforce a strict app review process and limit sideloading.
   • Implement principle of least privilege for all applications.
   • Regularly audit Wi-Fi permission usage and system call patterns.
   • Use mobile threat defense solutions to detect privilege escalation attempts.

References

• NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-45524
• Android Security Bulletin: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin (check for future updates)
• CWE-862: Missing Authorization: https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/862.html
• MITRE ATT&CK T1068: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1068/
• No known threat actor campaigns or exploit-in-the-wild evidence at this time.