CVE-2025-0081 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting multiple recent versions of the Google Android operating system, specifically versions 12, 12L, 13, 14, and 15. The flaw resides in the dng_lossless_decoder component within the dng_lossless_jpeg.cpp source file, specifically in the HuffDecode function. The root cause is the use of uninitialized data during the decoding process of lossless JPEG images in the DNG (Digital Negative) format. This uninitialized data can cause the application or system process handling the image decoding to crash unexpectedly. Because the vulnerability can be triggered remotely without requiring any user interaction or privileges, it presents a straightforward attack vector for denial of service (DoS) attacks. An attacker can craft a malicious DNG image file that, when processed by the vulnerable decoder, causes the system or application to crash, resulting in service disruption. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-457, which relates to the use of uninitialized variables, a common programming error that can lead to unpredictable behavior. Although the vulnerability does not allow for code execution or privilege escalation, the ability to cause a crash remotely without authentication or user interaction makes it a significant threat to availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that mitigation may require updates from Google or device manufacturers. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.5, reflecting high severity due to the network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and a high impact on availability without affecting confidentiality or integrity.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the availability of Android-based devices and services that process DNG images, such as mobile phones, tablets, and embedded systems running affected Android versions. Organizations relying on Android devices for critical communications, field operations, or customer interactions could experience service disruptions if targeted by denial of service attacks leveraging this vulnerability. The absence of required user interaction or privileges means attackers can exploit this remotely, potentially via malicious image files sent through messaging apps, email, or web content. This could lead to device crashes, service outages, or degraded user experience, impacting productivity and operational continuity. Sectors such as telecommunications, public services, healthcare, and finance, which increasingly depend on mobile platforms, may be particularly vulnerable to disruptions. Additionally, Android devices used in industrial or IoT contexts within Europe could be affected, potentially impacting critical infrastructure. While the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, the availability impact could have cascading effects on business operations and service delivery.

Given the lack of an official patch at the time of this report, European organizations should implement several practical mitigations: 1) Restrict or monitor the receipt and processing of DNG image files from untrusted sources, especially in messaging apps, email clients, and web browsers on Android devices. 2) Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce policies that limit the installation or execution of untrusted applications that might process such images. 3) Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited image files, particularly in DNG format, and encourage cautious behavior. 4) Monitor device logs and crash reports for signs of exploitation attempts or unusual application crashes related to image processing. 5) Coordinate with device vendors and Google for timely updates and apply security patches as soon as they become available. 6) Consider network-level filtering or sandboxing of image content where feasible to detect and block malformed or suspicious DNG files. 7) For critical deployments, evaluate the possibility of temporarily disabling or restricting features that automatically process DNG images until patches are applied.