CVE-2025-22423 is a denial of service (DoS) vulnerability affecting Google Android versions 13, 14, and 15. The vulnerability exists in the ParseTag function within the dng_ifd.cpp source file, which is part of the image rendering component responsible for processing DNG (Digital Negative) image files. Specifically, the flaw arises due to a missing bounds check when parsing image metadata tags, allowing an attacker to craft a malicious DNG image file that triggers a crash in the image renderer. This crash leads to a denial of service condition, causing the affected Android device or application to become unresponsive or restart. Notably, exploitation does not require any user interaction, nor does it require additional execution privileges, meaning that an attacker can remotely trigger the DoS simply by delivering the malicious image file to the target device, for example via messaging apps, email, or web content. The vulnerability does not appear to allow code execution or privilege escalation, but the forced crash can disrupt device availability and user experience. As of the published date, no known exploits are reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. The lack of a CVSS score indicates that the severity has not been formally assessed, but the technical details suggest a straightforward exploitation path with significant impact on availability.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to mobile devices running affected Android versions, which are widely used across enterprises and consumers. The ability to remotely cause a denial of service without user interaction means that attackers could disrupt business operations by targeting employee or customer devices, potentially affecting communication, access to corporate resources, or critical mobile applications. Industries relying heavily on mobile workflows, such as finance, healthcare, and logistics, could experience operational interruptions. Additionally, public-facing services that accept image uploads or display user-generated content could be vectors for exploitation, leading to service disruptions or reputational damage. While the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity directly, the availability impact can be significant, especially if exploited at scale or combined with other attack vectors. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the ease of exploitation and lack of required user interaction elevate the threat level.

European organizations should prioritize the following mitigation steps: 1) Monitor for official security updates from Google and Android device manufacturers and apply patches promptly once available. 2) Implement network-level filtering to block or scan incoming image files, especially DNG formats, from untrusted sources to prevent malicious payload delivery. 3) Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited image files or links, even though user interaction is not required, as some delivery methods may still rely on user actions. 4) Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, restrict installation of untrusted applications, and enable rapid response to device crashes or anomalies. 5) For organizations with public-facing platforms that accept image uploads, implement robust input validation and sandboxing to mitigate potential exploitation. 6) Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on mobile device resilience and image processing components. These targeted measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific attack vector and affected components.