CVE-2025-26435 is a vulnerability identified in Android version 15, specifically within the updateState function of the ContentProtectionTogglePreferenceController.java component. The flaw is a logic error that permits a secondary user on the device—who normally has limited privileges—to disable the primary user's deceptive app scanning setting. This setting is designed to protect the primary user by scanning apps for deceptive or malicious behavior. Because of the logic error, the secondary user can bypass intended access controls without needing additional execution privileges or user interaction, resulting in a local elevation of privilege. The vulnerability falls under CWE-269, indicating improper privilege management. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high severity, with attack vector local, low attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no public exploits are known at this time, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to its ability to undermine security settings and escalate privileges on affected devices.

Organizations worldwide using Android 15 devices are at risk of unauthorized privilege escalation by local secondary users, which could lead to disabling critical security features such as deceptive app scanning. This can result in exposure to malware, data leakage, or unauthorized system modifications, compromising device confidentiality, integrity, and availability. In multi-user environments—such as shared devices in enterprises, educational institutions, or public kiosks—this vulnerability could allow less privileged users to undermine the security posture of primary users. The impact extends to any scenario where Android 15 devices are used to store sensitive information or perform critical functions, increasing the risk of insider threats and lateral movement within networks.

To mitigate CVE-2025-26435, organizations should prioritize updating Android devices to patched versions once available from Google, as no patches are currently linked but are expected. Until patches are released, restrict secondary user account creation and limit local access to trusted individuals only. Employ device management solutions to enforce strict user privilege separation and monitor for unauthorized changes to security settings. Additionally, implement application whitelisting and endpoint detection to identify suspicious activities related to privilege escalation attempts. For environments requiring multi-user access, consider deploying additional security controls such as containerization or virtualization to isolate user sessions. Regularly audit device configurations and user permissions to detect anomalies that may indicate exploitation attempts.