CVE-2025-26417 is a security vulnerability identified in the Android operating system, specifically affecting versions 12, 12L, 13, 14, and 15. The flaw exists in the method checkWhetherCallingAppHasAccess within the DownloadProvider.java component. This vulnerability arises from a confused deputy problem, where the system incorrectly bypasses user consent checks when opening files stored in shared storage. Essentially, an application or process can access files without the explicit permission or awareness of the user, leading to local information disclosure. Notably, exploitation of this vulnerability does not require any additional execution privileges or user interaction, meaning that an attacker with local code execution capabilities or a malicious app installed on the device could leverage this flaw to access sensitive information stored in shared storage areas. The vulnerability is classified as an information disclosure issue, which compromises confidentiality but does not directly affect system integrity or availability. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the lack of required user interaction and the broad range of affected Android versions make this a significant concern. The absence of a CVSS score indicates that the vulnerability is newly published and may not yet have undergone full severity assessment. However, the technical details suggest a medium to high risk due to the potential for unauthorized data access on widely used mobile devices.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to mobile devices running affected Android versions, which are commonly used in enterprise environments for communication, data access, and business applications. The unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored on shared storage could lead to leakage of confidential corporate data, personally identifiable information (PII), or intellectual property. This is particularly critical for sectors handling sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies. The fact that exploitation does not require user interaction increases the risk of stealthy data breaches. Additionally, since Android devices are prevalent among employees, this vulnerability could be exploited to gain footholds within corporate networks or to conduct targeted espionage. The impact extends beyond individual devices to potentially compromise organizational confidentiality and compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR. However, the vulnerability does not appear to allow remote exploitation or privilege escalation, limiting its impact to local or app-level attackers.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Ensure timely deployment of official security patches from Google or device manufacturers as they become available, as no patch links are currently provided. 2) Implement strict mobile device management (MDM) policies that restrict installation of untrusted or unnecessary applications, reducing the risk of malicious apps exploiting this flaw. 3) Enforce application whitelisting and use Google Play Protect or equivalent security services to detect and block potentially harmful apps. 4) Educate users about the risks of installing apps from unknown sources and encourage regular updates of their devices. 5) Monitor device logs and network traffic for unusual access patterns to shared storage that could indicate exploitation attempts. 6) For highly sensitive environments, consider restricting the use of shared storage or employing encryption solutions that limit unauthorized file access. 7) Collaborate with IT and security teams to audit and limit app permissions related to storage access, minimizing the attack surface. These targeted measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling app behavior and ensuring rapid patch adoption in the mobile ecosystem.