CVE-2025-26423
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Android's Wi-Fi configuration validation allows local attackers to trigger a permanent denial-of-service condition without user interaction. It affects Android devices with vulnerable Wi-Fi modules, potentially allowing local privilege escalation. The flaw exists in the validateIpConfiguration function where missing bounds checks enable exploitation.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android devices with Wi-Fi capability
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Permanent DoS of Wi-Fi functionality requiring factory reset, combined with local privilege escalation allowing unauthorized access to system resources.
Likely Case
Wi-Fi service disruption requiring device reboot or network settings reset, potentially affecting device connectivity.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper patching; temporary connectivity issues if exploited before detection.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access to the device; no user interaction needed but attacker needs ability to trigger the vulnerable function.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Android Security Bulletin May 2025 patches
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2025-05-01
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Check for Android system updates in Settings > System > System update. 2. Apply the May 2025 security patch. 3. Verify patch installation in Settings > About phone > Android security patch level.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Wi-Fi when not in use
allReduces attack surface by limiting Wi-Fi functionality availability
Restrict app permissions
allLimit which apps have network configuration permissions
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict app vetting and installation controls
- Monitor for unusual Wi-Fi configuration changes or service disruptions
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone; if before May 2025, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Android security patch level shows May 2025 or later in Settings > About phone.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple Wi-Fi service crashes
- Unusual Wi-Fi configuration changes
- System logs showing WifiConfigurationUtil exceptions
Network Indicators:
- Sudden Wi-Fi disconnections
- Failed Wi-Fi authentication attempts
- Abnormal network configuration requests
SIEM Query:
source="android_system" AND (event="wifi_service_crash" OR message="*WifiConfigurationUtil*" OR message="*validateIpConfiguration*")