CVE-2025-26426
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Android's BroadcastController allows malicious apps to intercept system broadcasts intended only for the Android framework due to improper input validation. This could lead to local privilege escalation without requiring 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
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker gains elevated system privileges, potentially accessing sensitive data, modifying system settings, or installing persistent malware.
Likely Case
Malicious apps intercept sensitive system broadcasts to gather information about device state, user activity, or other apps' behavior.
If Mitigated
With proper app sandboxing and security controls, impact is limited to information disclosure within the malicious app's context.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires a malicious app to be installed on the device. No user interaction needed for exploitation once installed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Android Security Patch Level May 2025 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2025-05-01
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Check for system updates in Settings > System > System update. 2. Install the May 2025 Android security patch or later. 3. Verify the patch level in Settings > About phone > Android version.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict app installations
allOnly install apps from trusted sources like Google Play Store and avoid sideloading unknown apps.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement mobile device management (MDM) to control app installations and monitor for suspicious behavior.
- Use application allowlisting to restrict which apps can run on the device.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android version. If patch level is 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 > Android version.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual broadcast interception patterns in system logs
- Apps attempting to register for system-only broadcasts
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Not applicable for typical SIEM monitoring as this is a local Android vulnerability