CVE-2025-22420 is a local elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting Google Android versions 13, 14, 15, and 16. The root cause is a confused deputy problem in multiple locations within the Android operating system, which allows audio files to be leaked across different user profiles. A confused deputy vulnerability occurs when a privileged component is tricked into misusing its authority on behalf of a less privileged user, leading to unauthorized access. In this case, the flaw enables an attacker with local access to bypass normal profile isolation and access audio files belonging to other users on the same device. Notably, exploitation does not require any additional execution privileges or user interaction, meaning an attacker who already has limited local access can escalate privileges without alerting the user. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality by exposing potentially sensitive audio data and integrity by allowing unauthorized access to user profile resources. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the vulnerability is significant due to the widespread use of affected Android versions. The lack of a CVSS score indicates that the vulnerability is newly published and pending further analysis. The absence of patch links suggests that Google has not yet released official fixes, so users and organizations must remain vigilant. This vulnerability highlights the importance of strict access controls and robust profile separation mechanisms in multi-user mobile environments.

For European organizations, this vulnerability presents a risk primarily to mobile devices running affected Android versions, which are widely used across Europe. The ability to leak audio files across user profiles can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, including confidential conversations or recordings stored on the device. This can compromise privacy and potentially expose organizations to data protection violations under GDPR. The elevation of privilege aspect means that attackers with limited local access—such as through a compromised app or physical access—can gain broader control over user data, increasing the risk of insider threats or lateral movement within corporate environments. Although the vulnerability does not allow remote exploitation, the prevalence of Android devices in enterprise and consumer settings in Europe means that attackers could leverage this flaw in targeted attacks or insider scenarios. The impact on availability is limited, but the breach of confidentiality and integrity can have serious reputational and regulatory consequences. Organizations relying on Android devices for sensitive communications or data storage should consider this a medium risk until patches are available.

1. Monitor official Google security advisories and apply patches promptly once released for Android versions 13 through 16. 2. Enforce strict user profile separation policies on Android devices, limiting inter-profile data sharing and access permissions. 3. Restrict installation of untrusted or unnecessary applications that could exploit local vulnerabilities to gain access to other profiles. 4. Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, control app permissions, and monitor device behavior. 5. Educate users about the risks of granting excessive permissions to apps and the importance of device security hygiene. 6. Where possible, disable or limit multi-user profile functionality on corporate devices to reduce attack surface. 7. Implement strong physical security controls to prevent unauthorized local access to devices. 8. Use encryption for sensitive audio files and data at rest to mitigate unauthorized access even if file leakage occurs. 9. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments on mobile device fleets to identify and remediate risks promptly.