CVE-2025-22416 is a high-severity elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting Google Android versions 13, 14, and 15. The flaw exists in the onCreate method of the ChooserActivity.java component, where a confused deputy problem allows an attacker to access images belonging to other users on the same device. This vulnerability arises because the ChooserActivity improperly enforces access controls, enabling a local attacker with limited privileges to escalate their access rights without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-441 (Incorrect Resource Transfer Between Spheres), indicating that the application mistakenly grants access to resources across security boundaries. Exploitation does not require user interaction, making it easier for attackers to leverage this flaw silently. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and requiring only limited privileges. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the sensitive nature of the data involved (user images) and the potential for privilege escalation on widely used Android devices. No official patches or mitigation links are provided yet, indicating that affected organizations and users should monitor for updates and apply them promptly once available.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive user data stored on Android devices, particularly images that may contain personal or confidential information. This breach of confidentiality can have severe privacy implications, especially under the GDPR framework, which mandates strict protection of personal data. The elevation of privilege aspect means that malicious local apps or compromised processes could gain higher access rights, potentially enabling further attacks such as data exfiltration, installation of persistent malware, or lateral movement within enterprise environments that allow Android device integration. The lack of required user interaction increases the risk of silent exploitation, making detection and prevention more challenging. Organizations relying on Android devices for business operations, especially those handling sensitive or regulated data, face increased risk of data breaches and compliance violations. Additionally, the vulnerability could undermine trust in mobile device security, impacting employee productivity and organizational reputation.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting installation of untrusted or unnecessary applications on Android devices to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 2. Employ Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce strict app whitelisting and privilege controls. 3. Monitor device logs and behavior for unusual access patterns to image files or privilege escalations. 4. Educate users about the risks of installing apps from unknown sources and encourage use of official app stores only. 5. Once Google releases patches or security updates addressing CVE-2025-22416, prioritize rapid deployment across all affected Android devices within the organization. 6. For highly sensitive environments, consider additional endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block privilege escalation attempts. 7. Review and tighten Android device security policies, including permissions related to media and file access. 8. Coordinate with IT and security teams to conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing focused on local privilege escalation vectors on Android devices.