---
id: "CVE-2026-58957"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-58957"]
title: "Android: background activity launch flaw allows local privilege escalation"
severity: "high"
cvss: null
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "infrastructure"
products: [{"name": "android", "fixed": ["2026-11-01 security patch level"], "affected": "14, 15, 16, 16-qpr2, 17 before security patch level 2026-11-01", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: []
tags: ["android", "framework", "infrastructure", "mobile", "privilege-escalation"]
not_affected_if: ["patched-device"]
published_at: "2026-11-02T20:17:52+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-02T20:35:34+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-02T20:39:33+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-58957", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-02T20:35:34+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": null, "first_seen_at": "2026-11-02T20:39:33+00:00"}]
---

# Android: background activity launch flaw allows local privilege escalation

A confused deputy bug in Android's ActivityStarter.java lets an app trigger a background activity launch it should not be allowed to make. An attacker can use this to escalate privileges locally, without extra execution privileges and without user interaction.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:android affected 14, 15, 16, 16-qpr2, 17 before security patch level 2026-11-01 fixed 2026-11-01 security patch level

## How to check

Settings > About phone > Android version > Android security update. If the date is earlier than 2026-11-01 (ideally 2026-11-05 or later), the device is exposed. Android 13 and older are not listed in the bulletin; check with your device maker.

## Fix

Install the Android security update with patch level 2026-11-01 or later (the November 2026 bulletin says 2026-11-05 or later covers all its issues). Fixed in AOSP 14, 15, 16, 16-qpr2 and 17.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-02T20:35:34+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-58957
- 2026-11-02T20:39:33+00:00 analyst — Android Security Bulletin Nov 2026 lists CVE-2026-58957 (A-500368515, Framework, EoP, High) under 2026-11-01 patch level, AOSP 14-17. No exploitation reported in the bulletin; no PoC found. Android 13 and older not listed.

## Documents

- [advisory] Android Security Bulletin—November 2026 https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/2026/2026-11-01

## From the sources

In resolveToHeavyWeightSwitcherIfNeeded of ActivityStarter.java, there is a possible background activity launch due to a confused deputy. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_
