CVE-2023-35674
CVE-2023-35674 is a security flaw in Android Framework, Google’s operating system for phones and tablets. Someone who already has a foothold can use Android Framework to take full control of the machine. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 13 Sep 2023.[1]
Android Framework is in things households have, such as phones, computers, browsers and everyday apps, so the fix matters at home as much as at work. Android has published a fix or advice.
Description
CISA calls it a privilege escalation in Android Framework. In its words: “Android Framework contains an unspecified vulnerability that allows for privilege escalation.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “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.”[2]
The underlying weakness is improper privilege management (CWE-269), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it high, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record doesn’t list version ranges for it; Android’s advisory has them[3]. CISA names the product as Android Framework.
Every device with Android Framework needs the update.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 13 Sep 2023, 2 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 4 Oct 2023 to fix it.[1]
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 3%. That’s in the top 15% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
Android has published a fix or advice.[3] CISA’s required action: “Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.”[1]
- Update Android Framework now.On Android: Settings, then System or Software update. Phones only get these fixes while their maker still supports them. Then turn on automatic updates, so the next fix arrives on its own.
- If there’s no update, stop using it.CISA’s advice when a flaw being used in attacks has no fix is to stop using the product until it does.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 7.8.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 3%.[4] |
See also
Other Android Framework flaws
- CVE-2025-48595: integer overflow ·
- CVE-2025-48633: information disclosure ·
- CVE-2025-48572: privilege escalation ·
- CVE-2024-43093: privilege escalation ·
- CVE-2023-20963: privilege escalation ·
Other Android flaws
- CVE-2025-48543, Android Runtime: use-after-free ·
- CVE-2024-36971, Android Kernel: remote code execution ·
- CVE-2024-32896, Android Pixel: privilege escalation ·
- CVE-2024-29748, Android Pixel: privilege escalation ·
- CVE-2024-29745, Android Pixel: information disclosure ·
Other improper privilege management flaws
- CVE-2026-102490, Zammad GmbH Zammad: improper privilege management ·
- CVE-2026-84869, ConnectWise ScreenConnect: improper privilege management and missing authorization ·
- CVE-2026-46817, Oracle E-Business Suite: improper privilege management ·
- CVE-2026-21533, Microsoft Windows: improper privilege management ·
- CVE-2024-8068, Citrix Session Recording: improper privilege management ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2023-4863, Chrome and other Chromium browsers: heap-based buffer overflow ·
- CVE-2023-20269, Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance and Firepower Threat Defense: unauthorized access ·
Every Android flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in September 2023
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Android Framework Privilege Escalation Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 13 Sep 2023.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2023-35674 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 11 Sep 2023.
- ^ Android. Advisories and fixes: source.android.com, android.googlesource.com, source.android.com.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.026, percentile 85.6, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2023-35674”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.