CVE-2025-48629
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows a malicious app to become the default speech recognizer on Android devices without user interaction, enabling local privilege escalation. It affects Android devices running vulnerable versions where an attacker could intercept voice commands and potentially access sensitive data. All Android users with affected versions are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Android
📦 What is this software?
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
Android by Google
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An attacker gains persistent access to voice interactions, intercepting sensitive voice commands, accessing microphone data, and potentially escalating to other system privileges.
Likely Case
Malicious app silently becomes default speech recognizer, intercepting voice commands and potentially accessing voice data for surveillance or credential theft.
If Mitigated
With proper app vetting and security controls, exploitation would be limited to isolated voice data access without broader system compromise.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires installing a malicious app on the device. No user interaction needed once app is installed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Android Security Patch Level December 2025 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2025-12-01
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check for system updates in Settings > System > System update. 2. Install December 2025 security patch or later. 3. Restart device after installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable third-party speech recognizers
androidPrevent apps from becoming default speech recognizer by disabling the setting
Review installed apps
androidRemove suspicious apps that request speech recognition permissions
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable voice interaction services in device settings
- Only install apps from trusted sources like Google Play Store
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Settings > About phone > Android version > Android security patch level. If before December 2025, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
Settings > About phone > Android version > Android security patch levelVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Android security patch level shows December 2025 or later date.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected changes to default speech recognizer app
- Apps requesting speech recognition permissions without user interaction
Network Indicators:
- Unusual network traffic from speech recognition apps
SIEM Query:
App installation events followed by speech recognition permission requests