CVE-2025-48548
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a race condition vulnerability in Android's AppOpsControllerImpl.java that allows malicious apps to record audio without displaying the privacy indicator. Attackers could exploit this to secretly record audio on affected Android devices. The vulnerability requires user interaction and local execution privileges.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android operating system
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Malicious app secretly records sensitive conversations, meetings, or private information without user knowledge, leading to privacy violations and potential blackmail or data theft.
Likely Case
Targeted surveillance apps bypass privacy indicators to record audio covertly, compromising user privacy in specific attack scenarios.
If Mitigated
With proper app vetting and security controls, exploitation would be limited to sophisticated attackers targeting specific users.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires developing a malicious app that triggers the race condition, user installation, and specific user interactions. The race condition nature adds complexity.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patches available in the provided Git commit references (e.g., frameworks/av commits 37e7f808fad105da187b021fb762a66d37c9212a, 8c09eb1034cb3b02a66f6c241c0b9c9981998d6f, and frameworks/base commits)
Vendor Advisory: https://android.googlesource.com/platform/frameworks/av/+/37e7f808fad105da187b021fb762a66d37c9212a
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Apply the Android security patches from the provided Git commits. 2. Update affected Android devices to patched versions. 3. Reboot devices after patching. 4. Verify the fix through testing.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict app installations
androidPrevent installation of untrusted apps by enabling Google Play Protect and disabling unknown sources.
Settings > Security > Install unknown apps > Disable for all apps
Settings > Security > Google Play Protect > Scan apps with Play Protect
Review app permissions
androidRegularly audit and revoke microphone permissions for suspicious or unnecessary apps.
Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Permissions > Microphone > Deny
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement mobile device management (MDM) to control app installations and permissions
- Monitor for unusual audio recording activity using security tools
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android build version and compare with patched versions in Git commits. Vulnerable if running unpatched versions with affected AppOpsController code.Check Version:
Settings > About phone > Android version / Build numberVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Android security patch level includes the referenced Git commits. Test that privacy indicator appears consistently during audio recording.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual audio permission grants without user interaction
- AppOpsController errors related to privacy indicators
- Multiple rapid permission state changes
Network Indicators:
- Unusual audio data exfiltration from device
SIEM Query:
source="android_logs" AND (event="audio_permission_grant" AND user_interaction="false") OR (message="*AppOpsController*" AND error="*race*" OR "*indicator*")🔗 References
- https://android.googlesource.com/platform/frameworks/av/+/37e7f808fad105da187b021fb762a66d37c9212a
- https://android.googlesource.com/platform/frameworks/av/+/8c09eb1034cb3b02a66f6c241c0b9c9981998d6f
- https://android.googlesource.com/platform/frameworks/base/+/00344da68fce6ec4f7a1bf36f0ea3797805f00ce
- https://android.googlesource.com/platform/frameworks/base/+/20e363e2225843ff3cc7d6bea05ae2f4db83b408
- https://android.googlesource.com/platform/frameworks/base/+/acbd37d21c2feffb6d64e669b956d59a6062b751
- https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2025-09-01
