# CVE-2023-35674: Android Framework Privilege Escalation

> A logic error in Android's WindowState allows local attackers to launch background activities, resulting in privilege escalation without user interaction.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 13 Sep 2023 (CISA KEV)
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 11 Sep 2023
- **Updated:** 21 Oct 2025
- **Also known as:** A-264029851, ASB-A-264029851, GHSA-48cj-hmgx-8f7h

## What is CVE-2023-35674?

CVE-2023-35674 is a high-severity vulnerability in Google Android, published on 11 Sep 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

In onCreate of WindowState.java, there is a possible way to launch a background activity 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.

Weakness: CWE-269 (Improper Privilege Management)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-35674?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Google Android.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-35674?

Apply the vendor's patch. US federal agencies must fix it by 4 Oct 2023.

## Is CVE-2023-35674 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2023-35674 in the wild since at least 13 Sep 2023.

Public exploit code:

- Guide and theoretical code for CVE-2023-35674 (github_poc): https://github.com/SpiralBL0CK/Guide-and-theoretical-code-for-CVE-2023-35674
- ช่องโหว่ CVE-2023-35674 *สถานะ: ยังไม่เสร็จ* (github_poc): https://github.com/Thampakon/CVE-2023-35674

## Other vulnerabilities in Google Android

- [CVE-2026-58704](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-58704/): Google Pixel Improper Authorization (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-48543](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-48543/): Android Runtime Use-After-Free (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-48595](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-48595/): Android Framework Integer Overflow (high 8.4, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-32896](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-32896/): Android Pixel Privilege Escalation (high 8.1, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-48572](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-48572/): Android Framework Privilege Escalation (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-35674 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-35674 is a high-severity vulnerability in Google Android, published on 11 Sep 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2023-35674 in the wild since at least 13 Sep 2023.

Affected product: Google Android. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-35674/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-35674/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-35674
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-35674
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-35674

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-35674/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.