Android
CVE-2026-0029
HIGH
Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
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AccessTrigger __pkvm_init_vm function
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ExploitExploit logic error in memory handling
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ExecutionCorrupt kernel memory structures
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ImpactEscalate privileges to root
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A06:2025 - Insecure Design
ASVS 5.0
V8 - Authorization Least privilege enforcement
MITRE ATT&CK
1 technique across 1 tactic: Privilege Escalation The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Exploitation Conditions | Local access to affected system running vulnerable pKVM implementation. __pkvm_init_vm must be callable during VM initialization without special privileges. No authentication or user interaction required. |
| Impact | CVSS 8.4 (HIGH). Attack vector: Local. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: None. User interaction: None. Exploitable via local access. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026
Local privilege escalation in Android's pKVM hypervisor initialization allows unprivileged attackers to corrupt memory and gain elevated privileges without user interaction. The vulnerability stems from a logic error in the __pkvm_init_vm function that fails to properly validate memory operations during VM setup. A patch is available to address this high-severity flaw affecting Android devices.
Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
In __pkvm_init_vm of pkvm.c, there is a possible memory corruption due to a logic error in the code. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. [CVSS 8.4 HIGH]
RemediationAI
A vendor patch is available — apply it immediately.
Affects your stack
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Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
Classified as CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management). Affects Android. In __pkvm_init_vm of pkvm.c, there is a possible memory corruption due to a logic error in the code. 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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- Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source
AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
Lifecycle Timeline
2DescriptionCVE.org
In __pkvm_init_vm of pkvm.c, there is a possible memory corruption due to a logic error in the code. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
Executive ViewAI
CVE-2026-0029 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the ARM pKVM hypervisor that allows local attackers to escalate privileges and corrupt memory without additional execution rights. This poses a significant risk to organizations running virtualized workloads on affected ARM-based infrastructure, potentially compromising workload isolation and system integrity.
Apply vendor patch.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Privilege escalation occurs when an attacker leverages flaws in access control mechanisms to gain permissions beyond what they were originally granted.
Memory corruption occurs when a program writes data beyond the boundaries of allocated memory regions or accesses memory in unintended ways, violating the integrity of the process's address space.
Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org
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GitHub PoC
Exploit-DB