CVE-2025-26455
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2025-26455 is a heap buffer overflow vulnerability in Android's NDK MediaCodec component that allows local privilege escalation without user interaction. Attackers can exploit this to gain elevated system privileges on vulnerable Android devices. This affects Android devices running vulnerable versions of the operating system.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android OS
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete device compromise allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with system privileges, install persistent malware, access sensitive data, and bypass security controls.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing malware to gain higher privileges, potentially leading to data theft, surveillance capabilities, or persistence mechanisms.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if devices are fully patched, have SELinux enforcing mode, and run with minimal privileges.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access to the device. No public exploit code is currently available, but the vulnerability is serious enough that weaponization is possible.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Android Security Patch Level June 2025 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2025-06-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check for system updates in Settings > System > System update. 2. Install the June 2025 Android security patch or later. 3. Reboot the device after installation. 4. Verify the patch level in Settings > About phone > Android version.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable unnecessary MediaCodec usage
androidRestrict apps from using MediaCodec APIs through app permissions or policy controls
Enable SELinux enforcing mode
androidEnsure SELinux is in enforcing mode to limit potential damage from exploitation
getenforce
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate vulnerable devices from sensitive networks and data
- Implement application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized apps from running
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android version. If patch level is before June 2025, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Android security patch level shows June 2025 or later in Settings > About phone > Android version.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual MediaCodec process crashes
- SELinux denials related to media.codec
- Unexpected privilege escalation attempts
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from media services
- Suspicious process communications
SIEM Query:
process_name:"media.codec" AND (event_type:"crash" OR event_type:"privilege_escalation")