CVE-2025-48597
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a tapjacking/overlay vulnerability in Android that allows attackers to trick users into granting permissions without their knowledge. The vulnerability enables local privilege escalation without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction. This affects Android devices running vulnerable versions.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker gains full system-level privileges on the device, potentially accessing sensitive data, installing malware, or taking complete control of the device.
Likely Case
Attackers gain elevated permissions to access sensitive user data, install unwanted applications, or perform unauthorized actions within the device's security context.
If Mitigated
With proper security controls and user awareness, the risk is reduced to minimal privilege escalation attempts that are detected and blocked.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires the attacker to have local access to the device and the ability to deploy a malicious application. The vulnerability leverages overlay attacks to bypass permission prompts.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Android security updates from December 2025 onward
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 latest security update. 3. Restart the device after installation completes.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable overlay permissions for untrusted apps
androidPrevent applications from drawing over other apps, which mitigates the tapjacking attack vector
Navigate to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Advanced > Draw over other apps > Disable
Install apps only from trusted sources
androidReduce risk by limiting installation to Google Play Store and avoiding sideloaded applications
Navigate to Settings > Security > Install unknown apps > Disable for all apps
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement application allowlisting to restrict which apps can run on the device
- Use mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and monitor for suspicious activity
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Android version and security patch level in Settings > About phone > Android versionCheck Version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patchVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the security patch level is December 2025 or later in Settings > About phone > Android security update📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual permission grants, overlay permission abuse logs, suspicious app installation events
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable as this is a local privilege escalation vulnerability
SIEM Query:
source="android_logs" AND (event="PERMISSION_GRANT" OR event="OVERLAY_ATTACK")