CVE-2024-44098 – CVE-2024-44098 is a double-free vulnerability i... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-44098?

CVE-2024-44098 has a CVSS score of 7.4 (HIGH). CVE-2024-44098 is a double-free vulnerability in Android's Low-Level Wearable Interface Subsystem (LWIS) that allows local privilege escalation without user interaction. Attackers can exploit this to gain elevated system privileges from a standard user context. This affects Android devices, particularly Google Pixel phones.

📋 TL;DR

CVE-2024-44098 is a double-free vulnerability in Android's Low-Level Wearable Interface Subsystem (LWIS) that allows local privilege escalation without user interaction. Attackers can exploit this to gain elevated system privileges from a standard user context. This affects Android devices, particularly Google Pixel phones.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Google Pixel phones
Android devices using LWIS

Versions: Android versions prior to October 2024 security patch

Operating Systems: Android

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires LWIS subsystem to be present and accessible. Most impactful on devices with less restrictive SELinux policies.

📦 What is this software?

Android by Google

View all CVEs affecting Android →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete device compromise allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, install persistent malware, access all user data, and bypass security controls.

🟠

Likely Case

Local attackers gain root access to install malicious apps, steal sensitive data, and maintain persistence on compromised devices.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper SELinux policies and kernel hardening, though privilege escalation may still occur within sandbox boundaries.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This is a local privilege escalation requiring physical access or malware already on device.

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Malicious apps or users can exploit this to gain full device control without network access.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local access but no user interaction. Exploitation depends on heap manipulation and timing.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: October 2024 Android Security Patch

Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/pixel/2024-10-01

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Check for system updates in Settings > System > System update. 2. Install October 2024 security patch. 3. Reboot device. 4. Verify patch installation in Settings > About phone > Android version.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable unnecessary LWIS services

android

Reduce attack surface by disabling unused wearable interface services

adb shell pm disable com.google.android.wearable.app
adb shell setenforce 1

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict SELinux policies to limit LWIS subsystem access
Use application sandboxing and privilege separation to contain potential exploits

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Android security patch level: Settings > About phone > Android version. If before October 2024, device is vulnerable.

Check Version:

adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify security patch level shows 'October 5, 2024' or later in Settings > About phone > Android version.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic logs
SELinux denials for lwis processes
Abnormal process privilege escalation

Network Indicators:

None - local exploit only

SIEM Query:

source="android_kernel" AND (event="double free" OR process="lwis")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-44098

CVSS v3 Score: 7.4 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-415

Published: October 25, 2024

Last Updated: July 24, 2025

🔗 References

https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/pixel/2024-10-01 Vendor Advisory

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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