CVE-2025-0077 is a medium-severity elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting Google Android version 15. The issue arises from a race condition in multiple functions within UserController.java, which can lead to a lock screen bypass. This vulnerability allows a local attacker to escalate privileges without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction. Specifically, the race condition enables bypassing the lock screen security mechanism, potentially granting unauthorized access to the device or sensitive functions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-1223, which relates to race conditions leading to improper access control. Exploitation requires local access to the device but no prior authentication or user interaction, making it a stealthy and potentially impactful flaw. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's presence in a core Android component means it could be leveraged to compromise device security and privacy if exploited. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.0, reflecting low impact on confidentiality and no impact on integrity or availability, with low attack complexity and no privileges or user interaction required.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to mobile device security, especially for employees using Android 15 devices. Successful exploitation could allow attackers with local access—such as through physical possession or via other local attack vectors—to bypass lock screen protections and gain elevated privileges. This could lead to unauthorized access to corporate data, apps, or credentials stored on the device, undermining confidentiality. Although the vulnerability does not directly affect integrity or availability, the ability to bypass lock screen security can facilitate further attacks or data exfiltration. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or those relying on Android devices for sensitive communications and operations may face increased risk. The lack of user interaction requirement increases the threat, as exploitation can occur silently. However, the medium severity and local access requirement limit the scope compared to remote exploits. Still, given the widespread use of Android devices in Europe, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value individuals or sectors.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Ensure all Android 15 devices are updated with the latest security patches as soon as Google releases a fix addressing CVE-2025-0077. 2) Enforce strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized local access to devices, including policies for device handling and storage. 3) Implement mobile device management (MDM) solutions that can enforce lock screen policies, detect suspicious behavior, and remotely wipe or lock compromised devices. 4) Educate users on the importance of device security and the risks of leaving devices unattended. 5) Consider additional authentication layers such as biometric or multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of lock screen bypasses. 6) Monitor for unusual device activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. Since no patch is currently available, temporary mitigations include disabling features or services that interact with UserController.java if feasible, and restricting device access to trusted personnel only.