CVE-2026-0054 Overview
CVE-2026-0054 is a local information disclosure vulnerability in the Android WalletContextualLocationsService. The flaw resides in the isCallerAllowed method of WalletContextualLocationsService.kt, where a missing permission check allows unauthorized callers to retrieve wallet information. Exploitation requires only low privileges and no user interaction. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-862: Missing Authorization and was addressed in the Android Security Bulletin for September 2026.
Critical Impact
A local application without appropriate permissions can read wallet-related information exposed by the WalletContextualLocationsService, leading to disclosure of sensitive user data.
Affected Products
- Android platform component WalletContextualLocationsService
- Devices receiving updates through the Android Security Bulletin of September 2026
- Refer to the Android Security Bulletin September 2026 for the authoritative list of affected versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-09-08 - CVE-2026-0054 published to NVD
- 2026-09-10 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-0054
Vulnerability Analysis
The WalletContextualLocationsService exposes an interface that callers can invoke to obtain contextual wallet information. The service relies on the isCallerAllowed function in WalletContextualLocationsService.kt to enforce access control on incoming Binder calls. The function fails to perform a required permission check, so callers that should be rejected are treated as authorized.
Any locally installed application can bind to the service and issue calls that return wallet-related data. Exploitation does not require user interaction, elevated execution privileges, or additional system permissions beyond those already granted to a normal app.
Root Cause
The root cause is a missing authorization check within isCallerAllowed. The method should validate the caller against the required permission before returning true, but the check is absent or incomplete. This maps directly to CWE-862 (Missing Authorization), where an application does not perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local. A malicious application installed on the device invokes the exposed Binder interface from the WalletContextualLocationsService. Because isCallerAllowed returns permissive results without validating the caller's permissions, the service returns wallet-related contextual data to the untrusted process. No user prompt, phishing, or additional exploit chain is required.
No public proof-of-concept or exploit is currently available. See the Android Security Bulletin September 2026 for vendor-provided technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-0054
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected Binder transactions from untrusted third-party applications to the WalletContextualLocationsService
- Installed applications that hold no wallet-related permissions but issue queries to wallet services
- Anomalous access patterns to contextual location or wallet APIs from background processes
Detection Strategies
- Audit installed applications on managed devices for unexpected access to Google Wallet-related system services
- Use Android logcat and system service logs to identify Binder calls to WalletContextualLocationsService originating from non-privileged UIDs
- Correlate app install events with subsequent access to wallet-related components through mobile threat defense telemetry
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor Android device patch levels and flag devices missing the September 2026 security patch level
- Track sideloaded or newly installed applications requesting broad system service access
- Alert on repeated calls to wallet or payment-adjacent system services from apps outside an allowlist
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-0054
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the September 2026 Android security patch level (2026-09-01 or later) on all affected devices
- Enforce a mobile device management policy requiring minimum security patch levels for corporate access
- Restrict installation of applications from untrusted sources and remove unnecessary third-party apps from managed fleets
Patch Information
Google addressed CVE-2026-0054 in the Android Security Bulletin September 2026. Device manufacturers distribute the fix as part of the 2026-09-01 security patch level. Users and administrators should verify the patch level under device Settings and apply pending updates through the OEM update channel.
Workarounds
- No official vendor workaround has been published; apply the security update as the primary remediation
- Limit exposure by removing untrusted applications and avoiding sideloading until the patch is applied
- Where possible, disable or restrict use of wallet features on devices that cannot receive the September 2026 patch
# Verify Android security patch level on a connected device
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# Expected output for remediated devices: 2026-09-01 or later
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
