CVE-2026-0163Network attack vector

Remote privilege escalation via VPU use-after-free

Published Aug 4, 2026 · Updated Aug 4, 2026

Use-after-free in the Video Processing Unit kernel driver on supported Pixel Android devices allows remote attackers to escalate privileges. Multiple functions in vpu_ioctl.c continue to reference freed memory, but Google has not disclosed the triggering input or request path. Exploitation requires no additional execution privileges or user interaction and can gain elevated access on an affected device.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability0.52%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in the Video Processing Unit kernel driver on supported Pixel Android devices allows remote attackers to escalate privileges. Multiple functions in vpu_ioctl.c continue to reference freed memory, but Google has not disclosed the triggering input or request path. Exploitation requires no additional execution privileges or user interaction and can gain elevated access on an affected device.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-0163
Published
Aug 4, 2026
Updated
Aug 4, 2026
Vendor
Go standard library
Product
Android
Classifications
CWE-416, T1404
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 4, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=Android kernel

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Go standard library · Androidversion=Android kernel

Published CVSS scores

9.8CISA ADP VulnrichmentCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1404Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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