CVE-2024-29779: Google Android Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2024-29779 Overview

CVE-2024-29779 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability affecting Google Android. The flaw allows an attacker with local access and low privileges to elevate to higher permissions without user interaction. Google addressed the issue in the September 2024 Android Security Bulletin. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation grants an attacker elevated privileges on the affected Android device, enabling access to protected data and system functionality reserved for higher-privileged components.

Affected Products

Google Android (see Android Security Bulletin September 2024 for specific versions)
Google Pixel devices covered by the September 2024 Pixel Update Bulletin
Android builds prior to the September 2024 security patch level

Discovery Timeline

2024-09-13 - CVE-2024-29779 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2024-09-01 - Google publishes the Android Security Bulletin addressing the issue
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-29779

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability enables local privilege escalation on Android devices. An attacker executing code as a low-privileged local user can obtain elevated privileges without any additional execution privileges. The exploitation path does not require user interaction, which reduces the barrier for a malicious application installed on the device to abuse the flaw.

Google's advisory categorizes the issue as an escalation of privilege caused by an unusual root cause. The public NVD record maps the weakness to CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management. Detailed technical specifics beyond the advisory summary have not been disclosed by Google.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper privilege management within an Android platform component. A code path grants or retains privileges that should have been restricted, allowing a local low-privileged actor to cross a trust boundary. Google's advisory describes the underlying condition as unusual, indicating the flaw does not fit a common memory-corruption or logic-error pattern.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local access to the target device. A malicious application running with normal user-level privileges can trigger the vulnerable code path and gain elevated permissions. No user interaction is required. Because the attack is local, remote exploitation over the network is not possible without a prior foothold.

No public proof-of-concept exploit is available, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. See the Android Security Bulletin September 2024 for vendor-provided technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-29779

Indicators of Compromise

Android devices running a security patch level earlier than September 2024
Installed applications requesting or exercising privileges inconsistent with their declared manifest scope
Unexpected changes to system settings, package installations, or protected file access originating from unprivileged apps

Detection Strategies

Inventory managed Android devices and compare their reported security patch level against the September 2024 baseline
Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) compliance policies to flag devices missing the September 2024 patch
Review application logs and audit trails for privilege boundary violations, such as low-privileged processes accessing system-only APIs

Monitoring Recommendations

Configure MDM alerts for devices that fall behind on Android security patch levels
Monitor mobile threat defense telemetry for anomalous process behavior indicative of privilege escalation attempts
Track sideloaded application installations and restrict installation sources on managed devices

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-29779

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the September 2024 Android security patch (patch level 2024-09-01 or later) to all affected devices
Verify patch deployment across the fleet through MDM reporting and compliance dashboards
Restrict installation of applications from untrusted sources on managed devices
Remove or block applications that request privileges disproportionate to their function

Patch Information

Google released fixes in the September 2024 Android Security Bulletin. Device manufacturers integrate these patches into their own updates, which reach users through carrier and OEM channels. Refer to the Android Security Bulletin September 2024 for the authoritative patch reference and affected component details.

Workarounds

Enforce a minimum Android security patch level through MDM compliance policies until devices are updated
Disable installation from unknown sources and require app vetting before deployment on enterprise devices
Isolate unpatched devices from sensitive corporate resources using conditional access policies

bash

# Example: check the current Android security patch level via adb
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# A value of 2024-09-01 or later indicates the fix is installed