CVE-2026-45519: Android Confused Deputy Information Disclosure

CVE-2026-45519 Overview

CVE-2026-45519 is a confused deputy vulnerability in the screenArgsForPermissionCheckIfAny function present in multiple Android locations. The flaw enables local information disclosure without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction. An attacker with local access and low privileges can leverage the permission-check screening logic to obtain data they should not be authorized to read. The issue is tracked under CWE-441: Unintended Proxy or Intermediary (Confused Deputy) and is documented in the Android Security Bulletin September 2026.

Critical Impact
A local, low-privileged process can trigger the confused deputy in screenArgsForPermissionCheckIfAny to read information outside its permission scope without user interaction.

Affected Products

Android platform components referenced in the Android Security Bulletin dated September 1, 2026
Multiple locations within the Android framework that invoke screenArgsForPermissionCheckIfAny
Devices running unpatched Android builds prior to the September 2026 security patch level

Discovery Timeline

2026-09-08 - CVE-2026-45519 published to NVD
2026-09-10 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-45519

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in screenArgsForPermissionCheckIfAny, a helper responsible for screening arguments before a permission check is performed. Because the helper acts on behalf of a caller and evaluates permissions using the wrong identity or context, it forms a confused deputy. A privileged component performs the requested action while relying on flawed argument screening, exposing data that the caller should not access. The result is local information disclosure that does not require user interaction or elevated privileges.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper trust boundary handling classified as [CWE-441]. The permission-check screening logic conflates the invoking caller's authority with that of the privileged intermediary. When the intermediary consults permissions using its own context instead of the caller's, it grants access it should have gated. This design flaw permits a low-privileged local caller to receive information reserved for higher-trust callers.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local access with low privileges. An attacker-controlled application on the device invokes an entry point that internally calls screenArgsForPermissionCheckIfAny. Because argument screening is incorrect, the privileged component returns data outside the caller's permission scope. No user interaction is needed, and no additional execution privileges are gained. See the Android Security Bulletin September 2026 for the affected code paths.

No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available. Technical details describing the affected locations are provided in the Android Security Bulletin referenced above.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-45519

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected access from low-privileged applications to system APIs that route through screenArgsForPermissionCheckIfAny
Application log entries indicating cross-process data retrieval without corresponding permission grants
Mobile device management (MDM) alerts flagging installed applications querying protected content providers or services outside declared permissions

Detection Strategies

Inventory Android devices and identify those below the September 2026 security patch level using MDM or endpoint mobile posture data
Monitor Android application telemetry for repeated calls to system services associated with the affected framework locations
Correlate application install events with subsequent anomalous access to sensitive system APIs

Monitoring Recommendations

Enroll Android devices in a mobile threat defense or MDM solution that reports build fingerprint and patch level
Alert on sideloaded applications and applications requesting sensitive permissions on unpatched devices
Review vendor OEM update channels to confirm delivery of the September 2026 Android security patch

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-45519

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the Android September 2026 security patch level or later on all managed devices
Restrict installation of untrusted or sideloaded applications on devices pending patch deployment
Enforce MDM policies that block enrollment or network access for devices below the required patch level

Patch Information

Google addressed the issue in the Android Security Bulletin September 2026. Device manufacturers are expected to distribute a security patch level of 2026-09-01 or higher. Confirm the patch level under device settings and validate delivery through the OEM update channel.

Workarounds

Limit device use to trusted first-party applications until the patch is applied
Remove or disable applications from unknown sources that request broad permissions
Apply MDM compliance rules that quarantine devices reporting a security patch level earlier than 2026-09-01

bash

# Check the Android security patch level on a connected device
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch