Code execution via unescaped Gradle template value
Published Jul 14, 2026 · Updated Jul 14, 2026
Code injection in JADX before 1.5.6 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by exporting and building a malicious APK. The Gradle exporter copies android:versionName into app/build.gradle as an unescaped Groovy string, allowing the manifest value to terminate the literal and inject statements. Execution requires a user to export the APK and build the generated project with Gradle or open it in Android Studio, after which injected code runs with that user's privileges.
Summary
What happened
Code injection in JADX before 1.5.6 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by exporting and building a malicious APK. The Gradle exporter copies android:versionName into app/build.gradle as an unescaped Groovy string, allowing the manifest value to terminate the literal and inject statements. Execution requires a user to export the APK and build the generated project with Gradle or open it in Android Studio, after which injected code runs with that user's privileges.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-42049
- Published
- Jul 14, 2026
- Updated
- Jul 14, 2026
- Vendor
- Skylot
- Product
- JADX
- Classifications
- CWE-94, T1204.002
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 14, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jul 14, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.
Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=< 1.5.6
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- poc_gradle_injection.pyproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
Check the software in your environment
Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.
Book a demo