CVE-2024-49739 is a vulnerability identified in the MMapVAccess function of the pmr_os.c component within the Android operating system, specifically affecting Android SoC versions. The root cause is an out-of-bounds write due to improper input validation, which falls under the CWE-787 category of buffer overflows. This flaw allows a local attacker without any prior execution privileges to perform a write operation outside the intended memory bounds, potentially leading to elevation of privilege on the affected device. The vulnerability does not require user interaction, increasing its risk profile for local exploitation. Despite the medium CVSS score of 4.0, the impact is limited to confidentiality with no direct effect on integrity or availability. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability's presence in a core OS component means that once exploited, attackers could gain higher privileges, potentially bypassing security controls and accessing sensitive data or system functions. The vulnerability's exploitation vector is local, meaning attackers need access to the device, but no additional authentication or user action is necessary. The lack of a patch link indicates that fixes may still be pending or in development. This vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous input validation in memory management functions within mobile operating systems.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-49739 is local privilege escalation on affected Android devices, which could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges from an unprivileged context. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information or system resources that are normally restricted. Although the vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability, elevated privileges can facilitate further attacks, including installing persistent malware, bypassing security mechanisms, or accessing confidential user data. For organizations, especially those relying on Android devices for sensitive communications or operations, this vulnerability could undermine device security and user trust. The lack of required user interaction and no need for prior privileges increases the risk that attackers with local access (e.g., through malicious apps or physical access) could exploit this flaw. However, the medium severity and absence of known exploits suggest the immediate risk is moderate but should not be ignored. The impact is more significant in environments where Android devices are used for critical business functions or contain sensitive data.

To mitigate CVE-2024-49739, organizations and users should apply official security patches from Google or device manufacturers as soon as they become available. Until patches are released, limiting local access to devices is critical; this includes enforcing strong device lock mechanisms, restricting installation of untrusted applications, and employing mobile device management (MDM) solutions to control app permissions and monitor device integrity. Developers should audit and harden memory management code to prevent out-of-bounds writes and implement robust input validation. Security teams should monitor for suspicious local activity indicative of privilege escalation attempts. Employing runtime protections such as Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) and Control Flow Integrity (CFI) can reduce exploitation success. Additionally, educating users about the risks of installing apps from untrusted sources and maintaining up-to-date security software can help reduce exposure. Organizations should also consider isolating sensitive workloads from mobile devices or using containerization to limit the impact of potential compromises.