CVE-2025-48536
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows a third-party Android app to modify secure system settings without user interaction, enabling local privilege escalation. It affects Android devices running vulnerable versions of the Settings app. Exploitation requires no additional execution privileges.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android Settings app
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker could gain full system-level control over the device, modify critical security settings, install malicious apps, or access sensitive data.
Likely Case
Malicious apps could bypass security restrictions, modify device configurations, or gain elevated permissions to access protected data.
If Mitigated
With proper app vetting and security controls, exploitation would be limited to already-installed malicious apps attempting privilege escalation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires a malicious app to be installed; no user interaction needed once installed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: December 2025 Android Security Patch or later
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2025-12-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check for Android system updates in Settings > System > System update. 2. Install the December 2025 security patch or later. 3. Restart the device after installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict app installations
allOnly install apps from trusted sources like Google Play Store and avoid sideloading unknown apps.
Review app permissions
allRegularly audit installed apps and remove any suspicious or unnecessary applications.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement mobile device management (MDM) to control app installations and monitor for suspicious activity.
- Use application allowlisting to only permit trusted apps to run on affected devices.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android version > Security patch level. If before December 2025, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify security patch level shows December 2025 or later after applying updates.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual modifications to secure settings in system logs
- Suspicious app behavior attempting to modify system configurations
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
Look for events where apps attempt to modify secure settings without proper authorization in Android system logs.