CVE-2025-36930
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows local privilege escalation through an out-of-bounds write in the GetHostAddress function of gxp_buffer.h. Attackers can exploit this without user interaction or additional privileges to gain elevated system access. This affects Android devices, particularly Google Pixel phones.
💻 Affected Systems
- Google Pixel phones
- Android devices using affected kernel components
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise where an attacker gains root privileges, enabling installation of persistent malware, data theft, and full device control.
Likely Case
Local attacker gains elevated privileges to access sensitive data, modify system settings, or install malicious applications.
If Mitigated
With proper patching and security controls, the risk is limited to devices that remain unpatched or have other vulnerabilities chained together.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access but no user interaction. The vulnerability is in kernel-space code, making exploitation more complex than user-space vulnerabilities.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: December 2025 Android security patch or later
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/pixel/2025-12-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check for system updates in Settings > System > System update. 2. Download and install the December 2025 security patch. 3. Reboot the device after installation completes.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict local access
allLimit physical and remote local access to vulnerable devices through access controls and device management policies.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local access to devices
- Monitor for suspicious privilege escalation attempts using security monitoring tools
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android version. If patch level is before December 2025, the device is likely vulnerable.Check Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the security patch level shows December 2025 or later in Settings > About phone > Android version.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- Unexpected privilege escalation in audit logs
- SELinux denials related to gxp_buffer
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local privilege escalation vulnerability
SIEM Query:
source="android_kernel" AND ("gxp_buffer" OR "privilege escalation" OR "kernel panic")