CVE-2026-28633 Overview
CVE-2026-28633 is a resource exhaustion vulnerability in the Android VoiceInteractionManagerService component. The flaw resides in the initForUserNoTracing method of VoiceInteractionManagerService.java and allows a local, low-privileged attacker to trigger a persistent denial of service on the affected device. Exploitation does not require user interaction and does not grant additional execution privileges.
The issue is tracked under [CWE-770: Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling]. Details are published in the Android Security Bulletin September 2026.
Critical Impact
A local application can cause a persistent denial of service in the Android voice interaction subsystem, degrading device functionality until remediation.
Affected Products
- Android Open Source Project (AOSP) — VoiceInteractionManagerService component
- Android platform builds shipping the affected framework code
- OEM Android distributions incorporating the vulnerable AOSP version
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-09-08 - CVE-2026-28633 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-09-10 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-28633
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability exists in the initForUserNoTracing routine within VoiceInteractionManagerService.java, part of the Android system server. The method initializes voice interaction state for a given user without enforcing bounds on the resources it consumes. A local application can invoke the affected code path repeatedly or with crafted parameters, causing memory or handle exhaustion in the system server.
Because the exhausted state persists across invocations, the denial of service continues beyond a single request. The impact is localized to availability, with no confidentiality or integrity effect. The attack requires only low-level privileges available to installed applications and executes without any user interaction.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing throttling and resource caps in initForUserNoTracing, corresponding to [CWE-770]. The service accepts initialization requests without validating cumulative resource use per caller or per user, allowing unbounded allocation.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local. A malicious or compromised application on the device invokes the VoiceInteractionManagerService interface through binder IPC. By triggering the vulnerable initialization path repeatedly, the application forces the system server into a resource-exhausted state that degrades voice interaction services and can cascade to broader system instability.
No verified public exploit code is available. Refer to the Android Security Bulletin September 2026 for authoritative technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-28633
Indicators of Compromise
- Repeated crashes or restarts of the Android system_server process associated with voice interaction initialization.
- Anomalously high memory consumption attributed to the VoiceInteractionManagerService component.
- Application processes issuing high-frequency binder calls to voice interaction interfaces without a legitimate user-facing workflow.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor logcat output for exceptions or watchdog timeouts referencing VoiceInteractionManagerService or initForUserNoTracing.
- Baseline normal voice interaction service resource usage and alert on sustained deviations.
- Inspect installed applications requesting voice interaction permissions or bindings that fall outside expected functionality.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Collect and centralize Android system logs from managed devices via a mobile device management (MDM) platform.
- Alert on Android security patch level values older than the September 2026 bulletin across the mobile fleet.
- Track application install telemetry for packages that repeatedly interact with system voice services.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-28633
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the Android security patch level corresponding to the September 2026 bulletin as soon as OEM builds are available.
- Enforce mobile device management policies that require devices to receive current Android security updates.
- Restrict installation of applications from untrusted sources on managed Android devices.
Patch Information
The fix is delivered as part of the Android Security Bulletin September 2026. Devices at the 2026-09-01 security patch level or later contain the remediation. Contact your device OEM or carrier for build availability specific to your hardware.
Workarounds
- Remove or disable untrusted applications that request voice interaction bindings until the patch is applied.
- Reboot affected devices to recover from the resource-exhausted state as a temporary measure.
- Limit exposure by disabling voice assistant functionality where operationally acceptable until the update is deployed.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
