C2PA Image Verification on Android Vulnerable to Root Exploits and Hardware Attacks

C2PA's Trust Model Undermined on Android

The C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) standard aims to combat AI forgeries by enabling cameras to cryptographically sign images. However, its implementation on the Android platform is compromised. C2PA camera applications on Android depend on Key Attestation and Google Play Integrity to prevent users from signing arbitrary files instead of actual image sensor data. The ability to sign arbitrary files directly breaks the core trust model of C2PA.

Exploiting Android Security Measures

Android's security mechanisms, including Key Attestation and Play Integrity, are vulnerable to root privilege escalation exploits. These exploits allow attackers to gain full control over the device, bypassing the protections intended to secure C2PA. Furthermore, Android devices can be rooted using low-cost hardware fault injection attacks, which are unpatchable on existing hardware. These issues have been known for at least 90 days and are not zero-day vulnerabilities.

One-Click Root Exploits and AI Forgeries

The proliferation of Large Language Models (LLMs) is accelerating the development of root Local Privilege Escalation (LPE) exploits. Currently, one-click root exploits, such as CVE-2026-43499, exist for fully-patched Google Pixel devices. These exploits enable individuals to produce C2PA forgeries without requiring complex hardware attacks. This demonstrates that even the "strongest" C2PA implementation on Android, as exemplified by the Pixel Camera app achieving Assurance Level 2, is susceptible to these attacks.

Implications for Content Authenticity

The vulnerabilities mean that C2PA-signed content from Android devices cannot be fully trusted as authentic. Attackers can generate AI-created images or videos and sign them as if they originated from a legitimate camera, effectively circumventing the standard's purpose. This raises significant concerns for the reliability of digital content in an era of increasing AI-generated media.