CVE-2025-22409 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting Google Android version 15, specifically within the rfc_send_buf_uih function of the rfc_ts_frames.cc source file. The issue is a use-after-free (CWE-416) vulnerability, which occurs when a program continues to use a pointer after the memory it points to has been freed. This can lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the affected process. In this case, the vulnerability allows for local elevation of privilege without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction. The attacker can exploit this flaw locally to escalate their privileges on the device, potentially gaining higher-level access than initially permitted. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.4, indicating a high severity, with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, meaning the attack requires local access but no privileges or user interaction, and can fully compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, suggesting that the vulnerability is newly disclosed and may be under active investigation or remediation by Google. The vulnerability's presence in Android 15, a widely used mobile operating system, makes it significant for users and organizations relying on this platform for mobile communications and operations.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, especially for enterprises and government agencies that use Android 15 devices for sensitive communications, mobile workforce operations, or as part of their IT infrastructure. The ability to escalate privileges locally without user interaction means that if an attacker gains physical or local access to a device, they could execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized access to corporate resources, or disruption of services. This could compromise confidentiality of sensitive information, integrity of data and applications, and availability of critical mobile services. Given the increasing reliance on mobile devices for secure communications and business operations, exploitation of this vulnerability could facilitate lateral movement within networks or serve as a foothold for more extensive attacks. The lack of required user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation in scenarios where an attacker has limited access, such as through malicious apps or compromised peripherals. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as threat actors may develop exploits rapidly after public disclosure.

European organizations should prioritize the following mitigation steps: 1) Monitor for official patches or security updates from Google and deploy them promptly once available to remediate the vulnerability. 2) Implement strict device management policies using Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to control app installations and restrict local access to devices, minimizing the risk of local exploitation. 3) Enforce strong physical security controls to prevent unauthorized physical access to devices, including secure storage and use of biometric or PIN-based device locks. 4) Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments on mobile devices to detect any signs of compromise or exploitation attempts. 5) Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications or connecting to unknown peripherals that could facilitate local attacks. 6) Utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of monitoring for suspicious local activity indicative of privilege escalation attempts. These targeted measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling local access vectors and ensuring rapid patch deployment specific to this vulnerability.