CVE-2026-0044: Android Integer Overflow Denial of Service Vulnerability

Technical summary

The vulnerability stems from improper integer overflow handling in multiple functions within ubsan_throwing_runtime.cpp, a component of Android's undefined behavior sanitizer runtime. An authenticated attacker can trigger an integer overflow condition that causes the runtime to crash, resulting in a denial of service. The attack surface is network-accessible, the attack complexity is low, and no special privileges beyond authentication are required. The flaw is classified under CWE-190 (Integer Overflow or Wraparound).

Business impact

A successful exploitation of this vulnerability could render Android devices unresponsive or force them into a crash state, disrupting critical business operations for organizations relying on Android infrastructure or mobile workforces. While this does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, sustained availability attacks could impact productivity, customer-facing services, or IoT deployments running affected Android versions. Organizations should evaluate their exposure based on deployment patterns and the sensitivity of affected systems.

Affected systems

The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Google Android. Organizations running affected Android releases should verify their deployed versions against Google's security advisory to determine scope. This includes both consumer devices and enterprise deployments where Android is used in managed environments, IoT devices, or embedded systems.

Exploitability

Exploitation requires valid authentication credentials but no user interaction, making the attack practical for insiders or attackers who have obtained legitimate credentials. The CVSS vector indicates network accessibility and low attack complexity, meaning an attacker can trigger the crash remotely over the network once authenticated. The vulnerability is not listed on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog as of the publication date, suggesting active exploitation in the wild has not been confirmed at scale, though this does not eliminate operational risk.

Remediation

Apply security patches provided by Google for affected Android versions as soon as testing confirms compatibility with your environment. Patch releases address the integer overflow by implementing proper bounds checking and overflow detection in ubsan_throwing_runtime.cpp. Validate patch availability through Google's official security bulletin and your device manufacturer's advisory to confirm version numbers and deployment timelines specific to your hardware and Android variant.

Patch guidance

Consult Google's Android Security & Privacy Year in Review and the specific security bulletin for CVE-2026-0044 to identify the patched Android version applicable to your devices. Test patches in a controlled environment before broad deployment to ensure stability and compatibility with your applications and configurations. Device manufacturers may release patches on different timelines; check your OEM's security update schedule. For enterprise environments, coordinate patch deployment with your mobile device management (MDM) or device administration platform to minimize disruption.

Detection guidance

Monitor for abnormal Android runtime crashes or repeated system resets that correlate with unusual authentication patterns or network activity from internal endpoints. Log authentication events to ubsan-related services or components if accessible through your monitoring infrastructure. System administrators should review SELinux audit logs and system event logs for repeated sanitizer runtime failures. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) platforms with Android support can help identify behavioral anomalies consistent with repeated denial-of-service attempts. Network-based detection is limited since the attack triggers an internal integer overflow; focus on behavioral signals and crash analytics.

Why prioritize this

Although rated CVSS 6.5 (MEDIUM), this vulnerability merits prioritization because it requires only authentication—not privilege escalation or complex attack chains—and the attack surface is network-accessible. For organizations with high-security Android deployments (banking, critical infrastructure, sensitive data handling), the combination of low barrier to entry and denial-of-service capability justifies prompt attention. Prioritize assets running user-facing or mission-critical Android services, then expand to general estate coverage.

Risk score, explained

The CVSS 6.5 score reflects a network-accessible denial-of-service flaw requiring authentication (PR:L). The score does not incorporate threat likelihood or organizational context; your internal risk assessment should factor in credential hygiene, internal network segmentation, the number of affected devices, and business tolerance for temporary unavailability. If your environment has weak authentication controls or widespread Android deployment, the operational risk may exceed the base CVSS score.

Frequently asked questions