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In `onNullBinding` of HostEmulationManager.java, there is a possible way to launch an activity from the background due to a logic error in the code. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.
This vulnerability resides in the Android framework’s service binding architecture, specifically within the HostEmulationManager that handles system-level operations and activity management. The flaw occurs when the system attempts to bind to a null service reference, creating an unexpected execution path that bypasses normal security controls and privilege validation mechanisms. Typically, when a service binding fails (for example, when the target service is null), the code should properly handle this exceptional condition and prevent further execution. However, due to a logic error, the code flow does not appropriately check the validity of the binding state. When a null binding occurs, the code path continues to execute towards activity instantiation without the proper security context validation.
This allows a malicious application or a compromised user session to manipulate the service binding process to launch activities from background processes without user consent. Because this is a local escalation of privilege, the attacker does not need any additional execution privileges beyond what a standard application might have, and the attack vector requires user interaction to trigger the initial exploitation. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability enables malicious applications to launch privileged activities in the background, potentially leading to data exfiltration, unauthorized system modifications, or further attack vector establishment.
DailyCVE Form:
Platform: Android (AOSP) Version: 14, 15, 16, 16-qpr2 Vulnerability : Logic Error Severity: Critical date: 2026-06-01 Prediction: 2026-06-30
What Undercode Say:
Check if device is vulnerable using adb adb shell dumpsys package com.android.nfc | grep "versionCode" Monitor for null-binding attempts in logcat adb logcat | grep -E "HostEmulationManager|onNullBinding"
Below is a conceptual snippet of the vulnerable code path:
// Vulnerable logic in HostEmulationManager.java (before patch)
public void onNullBinding(ComponentName service) {
// No proper validation performed
launchActivityFromBackground(); // < Attacker-controlled
}
Exploit:
The attacker must install a malicious application on the device. The application can then attempt to force the system to bind to a null component name within the HostEmulationManager. Due to the missing null check, the system executes the activity launch code with elevated privileges, allowing the attacker to perform unauthorized actions.
Protection:
This vulnerability is addressed by the June 2026 Android Security Bulletin. The fix introduces a null parameter validation logic inside the `onNullBinding` method, which prevents the background start of an Activity when the binding parameter is null, thereby cutting off the attack chain. Users should install the update as soon as it is available for their device.
Impact:
Successful exploitation leads to local privilege escalation. A malicious application can execute arbitrary code and launch background activities with system-level privileges. This can result in full device compromise, data theft, and persistent unauthorized access.
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Sources:
Reported By: nvd.nist.gov
Extra Source Hub:
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