CVE-2025-26417
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows malicious apps to bypass user consent checks when accessing files in shared storage on Android devices. It enables local information disclosure without requiring additional permissions or user interaction. All Android devices running vulnerable versions are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Malicious app could silently access and exfiltrate sensitive user files from shared storage, including documents, images, and other personal data.
Likely Case
Malicious app accesses specific files in shared storage that it shouldn't have permission to read, potentially exposing personal documents or media.
If Mitigated
With proper app sandboxing and security updates, the impact is limited to specific file types in shared storage rather than system files.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires a malicious app to be installed on the target device. No user interaction needed for exploitation once app is installed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: March 2025 Android security patch level or later
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2025-03-01
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Check for system updates in Settings > System > System update. 2. Install the March 2025 Android security patch. 3. Verify patch level in Settings > About phone > Android version > Android security update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict app installations
allOnly install apps from trusted sources like Google Play Store and avoid sideloading unknown apps.
Review app permissions
allRegularly review and revoke unnecessary storage permissions from installed apps.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement mobile device management (MDM) to control app installations
- Use application allowlisting to restrict which apps can run on devices
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android version > Android security update. If date is before March 2025, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Android security patch level shows March 2025 or later in Settings > About phone > Android version > Android security update.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file access patterns from apps in DownloadProvider logs
- Multiple failed permission checks followed by successful access
Network Indicators:
- Unusual data exfiltration from mobile devices to unknown destinations
SIEM Query:
source="android_logs" AND "DownloadProvider" AND ("permission bypass" OR "access denied" AND "access granted")