Local privilege escalation via ac_init_policy permission bypass
Published Sep 15, 2026 · Updated Sep 15, 2026
Local privilege escalation in Google Android before the 2026-09-05 security patch level allows local users to gain elevated privileges. The ac_init_policy function in init.c makes an incorrect permission decision during Android kernel policy initialization. Exploitation requires local access, needs no additional execution privileges or user interaction, and is limited to Pixel-family-specific builds.
Summary
What happened
Local privilege escalation in Google Android before the 2026-09-05 security patch level allows local users to gain elevated privileges. The ac_init_policy function in init.c makes an incorrect permission decision during Android kernel policy initialization. Exploitation requires local access, needs no additional execution privileges or user interaction, and is limited to Pixel-family-specific builds.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-0189
- Published
- Sep 15, 2026
- Updated
- Sep 15, 2026
- Vendor
- Product
- Android
- Classifications
- T1404
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Sep 15, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Sep 15, 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?
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- Affected versionversion=Android kernel
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
No CVSS assessment is available in this record.
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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