CVE-2025-26430
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Android's Settings app allows malicious apps to access files from other user profiles without permission. It enables local privilege escalation without requiring user interaction. All Android devices running vulnerable versions are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android Settings app
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of device with access to sensitive user data across profiles, potentially leading to credential theft, data exfiltration, or further system compromise.
Likely Case
Malicious app gains unauthorized access to files from other user profiles, potentially exposing personal data, photos, documents, or authentication tokens.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper app sandboxing and minimal sensitive data in shared locations.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires malicious app installation but no user interaction after installation
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: May 2025 Android Security Patch or later
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2025-05-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check for system updates in Settings > System > System update
2. Install May 2025 Android security patch or later
3. Reboot device after installation
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable multi-user profiles
androidRemove additional user profiles to eliminate cross-user file access vectors
adb shell pm remove-user USER_ID
Restrict app installations
androidOnly install apps from trusted sources like Google Play Store
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate sensitive data from shared storage locations
- Implement strict app vetting and installation policies
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android version > Security patch levelCheck Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify security patch level shows May 2025 or later date📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file access patterns across user profiles
- Suspicious app behavior in Settings app context
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected data exfiltration from device
SIEM Query:
source="android_logs" AND (event="file_access" AND target_user!=current_user)