CVE-2025-22422 is a high-severity elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting Google Android versions 13, 14, and 15. The flaw arises from a logic error in the authentication prompt handling code, where a user can be misled into approving an authentication request for one application, but the authentication result is actually applied to a different application. This discrepancy allows an attacker with limited privileges (local privileges) to escalate their privileges on the device without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-639 (Authorization Bypass Through User Interface), indicating that the issue stems from improper authorization checks tied to user interface elements. Exploitation does not require user interaction, which increases the risk as the attack can be automated or triggered silently. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and no need for user interaction. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature and ease of exploitation make it a significant threat to Android devices running the affected versions. The absence of patch links suggests that fixes may still be pending or in the process of deployment.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, especially those relying heavily on Android devices for business operations, secure communications, or mobile workforce management. An attacker exploiting this flaw could gain elevated privileges on compromised devices, potentially accessing sensitive corporate data, bypassing security controls, or installing persistent malicious software. This could lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or disruption of services. Given the vulnerability does not require user interaction, it could be exploited stealthily, increasing the likelihood of undetected compromise. Organizations in sectors such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, which often use Android devices for secure applications, are particularly at risk. The vulnerability also threatens the integrity of authentication mechanisms, undermining trust in device security and potentially facilitating further lateral movement within corporate networks.

European organizations should prioritize the following specific actions: 1) Immediate inventory and identification of Android devices running versions 13, 14, or 15 within their environment. 2) Monitor official Google security advisories and Android security bulletins for patches addressing CVE-2025-22422 and apply updates promptly once available. 3) Implement mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, restrict installation of untrusted applications, and control privilege escalation attempts. 4) Employ application whitelisting and restrict permissions to minimize the attack surface. 5) Conduct targeted security awareness training for IT staff to recognize signs of privilege escalation and anomalous device behavior. 6) Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of monitoring for suspicious local privilege escalation activities on Android devices. 7) Where possible, isolate critical applications or data from devices running vulnerable Android versions until patches are applied. 8) Engage with vendors and service providers to ensure timely updates and support for affected devices.