CVE-2025-26442 is a vulnerability identified in the Google Android operating system versions 13, 14, and 15. The flaw exists in the NotificationAccessConfirmationActivity.java component, specifically within the onCreate method. The root cause is a logic error that leads to incorrect verification of intent filters in the Notification Listener Service (NLS). Intent filters are used in Android to declare the capabilities of components and to restrict which intents they can receive. Improper verification here means that the system may inadvertently allow unauthorized intents to trigger the activity, potentially exposing sensitive information. This vulnerability results in local information disclosure, meaning an attacker with local access to the device can exploit the flaw to gain access to information that should otherwise be protected. Notably, exploitation does not require any additional execution privileges or user interaction, which lowers the barrier for an attacker who already has local access. However, the vulnerability does not appear to allow privilege escalation or remote code execution. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches or CVSS scores have been published as of the vulnerability's disclosure date (September 4, 2025).

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-26442 primarily concerns confidentiality. Since the vulnerability allows local information disclosure without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges, it poses a risk in environments where devices may be physically accessible to unauthorized personnel or where malware with local access capabilities is present. Sensitive corporate or personal data stored or processed on affected Android devices could be exposed, potentially leading to data breaches or leakage of proprietary information. This is particularly critical for sectors handling sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies. The lack of requirement for user interaction increases the risk of stealthy exploitation. However, since the vulnerability does not enable remote exploitation or privilege escalation, its impact is somewhat limited to scenarios involving local access. Given the widespread use of Android devices in European enterprises and among employees, this vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks or insider threat scenarios.

To mitigate CVE-2025-26442, European organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Monitor for and apply official security updates from Google as soon as they become available, as the vulnerability is in actively maintained Android versions. 2) Implement strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized local access to corporate Android devices, including device lock policies and secure storage. 3) Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, restrict installation of untrusted applications, and monitor device integrity. 4) Educate users on the risks of local device access and encourage reporting of lost or stolen devices promptly. 5) Consider restricting the use of affected Android versions in high-security environments until patches are applied. 6) Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of detecting suspicious local activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling local access vectors and ensuring rapid patch deployment.