CVE-2025-22425 is a medium-severity elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting Google Android versions 13 and 14. The flaw exists in the onCreate method of the InstallStart.java component, where improper input validation leads to a permissions bypass. This vulnerability allows a local attacker to escalate their privileges without requiring any additional execution privileges beyond what they already have. However, exploitation requires user interaction, which limits the attack vector to scenarios where the user is tricked into performing some action. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-276, which relates to improper permissions or access control. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.1, reflecting a medium impact primarily on confidentiality and integrity, with no impact on availability. The attack vector is local, and no privileges are required initially, but user interaction is necessary. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. This vulnerability could allow an attacker with limited access to bypass permission checks and gain higher privileges on the device, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data or system functions.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk, especially for enterprises relying on Android devices for business operations, including mobile workforce and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) environments. An attacker exploiting this flaw could escalate privileges locally on affected devices, potentially accessing confidential corporate data or manipulating device settings. While the requirement for user interaction reduces the likelihood of widespread automated exploitation, targeted phishing or social engineering attacks could trigger the vulnerability. This could lead to data breaches, unauthorized access to corporate applications, or compromise of device integrity. Organizations in sectors handling sensitive personal data, such as finance, healthcare, and government, are particularly at risk due to strict data protection regulations like GDPR. The vulnerability could also undermine trust in mobile device security and complicate compliance efforts if exploited.

European organizations should implement a multi-layered mitigation strategy: 1) Enforce strict mobile device management (MDM) policies to control app installations and restrict permissions on Android devices, minimizing the attack surface. 2) Educate users about the risks of social engineering and phishing attacks that could prompt the required user interaction for exploitation. 3) Monitor for unusual privilege escalations or suspicious activities on Android devices using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools tailored for mobile platforms. 4) Apply security updates promptly once Google releases patches addressing CVE-2025-22425. 5) Consider deploying application whitelisting and restricting installation of apps from untrusted sources to prevent malicious apps from exploiting this vulnerability. 6) Regularly audit device configurations and permissions to ensure compliance with security policies. 7) Collaborate with mobile security vendors to receive timely threat intelligence and detection capabilities related to this vulnerability.