CVE-2025-22419 is a vulnerability identified in Google Android versions 13, 14, and 15 that allows for a local elevation of privilege via a tapjacking or overlay attack. Tapjacking is a technique where an attacker tricks a user into tapping on something different from what the user perceives, typically by overlaying transparent or misleading UI elements. In this case, the vulnerability enables an attacker to mislead the user into enabling malicious phone call forwarding. This action can be triggered locally on the device but requires user interaction to exploit. The attack leverages multiple locations within the Android system where the UI can be manipulated to deceive the user into granting permissions or enabling features that redirect phone calls without the user’s informed consent. Although the attacker only gains privileges equivalent to the user executing the attack, the ability to forward calls maliciously can lead to interception of sensitive communications, potential fraud, or further social engineering attacks. The vulnerability does not currently have a CVSS score and no known exploits are reported in the wild as of the publication date. The lack of a patch link suggests that a fix may still be pending or in development. The vulnerability is significant because it exploits user interface trust and social engineering combined with system-level telephony features, which are critical components of mobile device security.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to employees using affected Android devices (versions 13, 14, and 15). If exploited, attackers could redirect phone calls to malicious numbers, potentially intercepting sensitive business communications or enabling fraud such as unauthorized access to two-factor authentication calls. This could lead to breaches of confidentiality and integrity of communications, impacting sectors that rely heavily on secure telephony, such as finance, healthcare, and government. The requirement for user interaction limits mass exploitation but targeted attacks against high-value individuals or executives (e.g., via phishing or social engineering) remain a concern. Additionally, the ability to manipulate call forwarding could facilitate further attacks within corporate networks or against critical infrastructure. The vulnerability also undermines user trust in device security, which can have broader implications for organizational security postures and compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR if personal data is compromised through intercepted calls.

Organizations should implement several specific measures beyond generic advice: 1) Enforce strict mobile device management (MDM) policies that restrict installation of untrusted applications and control overlay permissions on Android devices. 2) Educate users about the risks of tapjacking and social engineering, emphasizing caution when prompted to enable call forwarding or similar telephony features. 3) Monitor telephony settings remotely via MDM solutions to detect unauthorized changes to call forwarding configurations. 4) Encourage or enforce timely updates to Android devices as patches become available, and maintain an inventory of devices running affected versions. 5) Use endpoint security solutions capable of detecting suspicious overlay activity or UI manipulation attempts. 6) For high-risk users, consider additional authentication mechanisms for telephony services or alternative secure communication channels. 7) Collaborate with mobile carriers to monitor unusual call forwarding patterns that could indicate exploitation.