CVE-2025-22418 is a vulnerability in Google Android versions 13 and 14 that allows local attackers to elevate privileges by exploiting a confused deputy problem caused by Intent Redirect in multiple locations within the operating system. The confused deputy issue (CWE-441) occurs when a privileged component is tricked into misusing its authority on behalf of a less privileged component. In this case, the Intent Redirect flaw allows an attacker to manipulate the flow of Intents—Android's messaging objects used for inter-component communication—to redirect privileged operations to attacker-controlled components. This leads to local privilege escalation without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability by enabling attackers to gain higher privileges, potentially accessing sensitive data, modifying system settings, or disrupting device functionality. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 reflects a high severity with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No public exploits are known yet, but the vulnerability's nature makes it a significant risk for local attackers. The lack of available patches at the time of publication means users and organizations must be vigilant and prepare to deploy updates promptly when released.

This vulnerability enables local attackers to escalate privileges on affected Android devices, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information, modifying or deleting data, and disrupting device operations. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means attackers could bypass security controls, install persistent malware, or disable security features. For organizations, this could lead to data breaches, loss of control over mobile endpoints, and increased risk of lateral movement within corporate networks. The fact that no user interaction is required lowers the barrier for exploitation, increasing the threat to devices in environments where local access is possible, such as shared or lost devices. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future attacks once exploit code becomes available. Enterprises relying on Android 13 and 14 for mobile workforce devices or IoT deployments should consider this a critical risk to their mobile security posture.

Organizations and users should monitor official Google security advisories and apply patches as soon as they become available for Android versions 13 and 14. Until patches are released, restricting physical and local access to devices is critical to reduce exploitation risk. Employing mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce strict access controls and monitor for suspicious local activity related to Intent handling can help detect exploitation attempts. Developers should review app permissions and Intent usage to minimize exposure to Intent Redirect issues. Additionally, disabling or limiting unnecessary local services and debugging interfaces can reduce the attack surface. Regularly updating all device software and security components remains essential. For high-security environments, consider isolating critical mobile devices or using hardened Android builds with additional security controls to mitigate potential privilege escalation.