CVE-2025-0079 is a high-severity elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting multiple recent versions of the Google Android operating system, specifically versions 12, 12L, 13, 14, and 15. The vulnerability arises from a logic error in the handling of the Audio/Video Distribution Transport Protocol (AVDTP) and Audio/Video Control Transport Protocol (AVCTP) channels, which are used in Bluetooth audio streaming and control. Due to this logic flaw, these channels could be left unencrypted under certain conditions. This unencrypted state could be exploited by a local attacker with user-level execution privileges to escalate their privileges on the device. Notably, exploitation does not require any user interaction, increasing the risk of automated or stealthy attacks. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-250, which relates to improper privilege management. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating a high severity, with the vector highlighting that the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). There are currently no known exploits in the wild and no published patches at the time of this report. This vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass security controls by exploiting unencrypted Bluetooth protocol channels, potentially gaining elevated privileges and compromising device security.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for enterprises relying on Android devices for sensitive communications and operations. The ability to escalate privileges locally without user interaction means that malware or malicious insiders could exploit this flaw to gain higher access levels, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized access to corporate resources, and disruption of services. Given the widespread use of Android devices in Europe across various sectors—including government, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing—the impact could be broad. The compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability could result in leakage of sensitive information, manipulation of data, and denial of critical services. Additionally, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies may face increased exposure, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability on employee devices to pivot into corporate networks. The lack of user interaction requirement further increases the risk of automated exploitation in environments where local access is possible, such as shared workspaces or public areas.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should take a multi-layered approach beyond generic patching advice. First, prioritize updating Android devices to patched versions as soon as Google releases fixes, and establish rapid deployment mechanisms for mobile device management (MDM) systems to enforce updates. Until patches are available, restrict physical and local access to devices, especially in high-security environments, to reduce the risk of local exploitation. Implement strict Bluetooth usage policies, including disabling Bluetooth when not in use and restricting pairing to trusted devices only. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring unusual privilege escalation attempts on Android devices. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on mobile device security to detect exploitation attempts. Educate users about the risks of leaving Bluetooth enabled in untrusted environments and enforce strong authentication and encryption policies for corporate communications. Finally, consider network segmentation to limit the impact of compromised devices on critical infrastructure.