CVE-2025-22405 is a high-severity elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting Google Android version 15. The vulnerability arises from a use-after-free condition present in multiple locations within the Android operating system. A use-after-free occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed, potentially allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code. In this case, the flaw allows local attackers to escalate privileges without requiring any prior execution privileges or user interaction. This means that an attacker who already has some form of local access to the device could exploit this vulnerability to gain higher privileges, potentially full system control. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as the attacker could execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, manipulate sensitive data, or disrupt system operations. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.4, reflecting the high impact and ease of exploitation (low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-416 (Use After Free), a common and dangerous memory corruption issue. Given the critical role Android plays in mobile devices worldwide, this vulnerability represents a significant security risk, especially as Android 15 adoption grows.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a serious threat, particularly to enterprises that rely on Android 15 devices for business operations, including mobile workforce management, secure communications, and access to corporate resources. An attacker exploiting this flaw could gain elevated privileges on an employee's device, potentially bypassing security controls, accessing sensitive corporate data, installing persistent malware, or moving laterally within the corporate network. This could lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, and disruption of business operations. The lack of required user interaction and no prerequisite privileges make this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where devices may be physically accessible or where malicious apps could be installed. Furthermore, sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government in Europe, which often have stringent data protection requirements under GDPR and other regulations, could face compliance risks and reputational damage if exploited.

European organizations should prioritize the following mitigation steps: 1) Monitor for official security patches from Google and Android device manufacturers and deploy updates to Android 15 devices immediately upon release. 2) Implement strict mobile device management (MDM) policies to control app installations and restrict the use of untrusted or third-party applications that could exploit this vulnerability. 3) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of monitoring for suspicious local privilege escalation activities on Android devices. 4) Educate users about the risks of installing apps from unknown sources and encourage the use of Google Play Protect and other security features. 5) Limit physical access to corporate devices and enforce strong authentication mechanisms to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 6) Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on mobile device security to identify potential exploitation attempts. These measures go beyond generic advice by emphasizing proactive patch management, device control, and user education tailored to the specific threat.