CVE-2025-22415 is a local elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting Google Android versions 13 and 14. The vulnerability resides in the android_app component of the Android.bp build configuration, where it is possible to launch any activity as a system user without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction. This flaw allows a local attacker, who already has some level of access to the device, to escalate their privileges to those of the system user, which has significantly higher permissions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-266, which relates to improper privileges management. Exploiting this vulnerability does not require user interaction, making it easier for attackers with local access to leverage it. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.0, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N. This means the attack requires local access but no privileges or user interaction, and the impact is limited to confidentiality (partial information disclosure) without affecting integrity or availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious apps or local attackers to gain system-level privileges, potentially bypassing security controls and accessing sensitive system resources or data.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to devices running Android 13 and 14, which are widely used in enterprise and consumer environments. The ability to escalate privileges locally to system user level could allow attackers to bypass security restrictions, access sensitive corporate data, or install persistent malware on employee devices. This is particularly concerning for organizations with bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies or those that rely on Android devices for secure communications and operations. Although the vulnerability requires local access, it could be exploited by malicious insiders or through other local attack vectors such as compromised apps or physical access. The confidentiality impact, while limited, could still lead to leakage of sensitive information. The lack of impact on integrity and availability reduces the risk of destructive attacks but does not eliminate the threat of espionage or unauthorized data access. Given the widespread use of Android devices in Europe, especially in sectors like finance, healthcare, and government, this vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value targets.

European organizations should prioritize the following specific mitigation steps: 1) Monitor for updates from Google and device manufacturers and apply security patches promptly once available. 2) Restrict installation of apps from untrusted sources to reduce the risk of local exploitation by malicious apps. 3) Implement mobile device management (MDM) solutions that enforce strict app whitelisting, privilege restrictions, and device integrity checks. 4) Educate users about the risks of granting unnecessary permissions and the importance of device security hygiene. 5) For high-security environments, consider disabling or restricting local debugging and developer options that could facilitate exploitation. 6) Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing on Android devices used within the organization to detect potential exploitation attempts. 7) Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of detecting suspicious privilege escalation behaviors on mobile devices. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling local access vectors and hardening device configurations to mitigate the specific nature of this vulnerability.