CVE-2025-26443 is a high-severity elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting Google Android versions 13, 14, and 15. The flaw exists in the parseHtml function of the HtmlToSpannedParser.java component. Due to a logic error in this code, it is possible for an attacker to bypass the standard Android security restriction that prevents the installation of applications from unknown sources. Specifically, this vulnerability allows an attacker to install apps without the user enabling the "allow installation from unknown sources" setting. Exploitation requires local access to the device and user interaction, such as opening a crafted HTML content that triggers the vulnerable code path. The vulnerability results in a local escalation of privilege, granting the attacker higher permissions than initially allowed, potentially leading to full compromise of the device. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.3, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with attack vector local, low attack complexity, low privileges required, and user interaction needed. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-693 (Protection Mechanism Failure), indicating a failure in enforcing security policies correctly. No known exploits in the wild have been reported yet, and no patches are currently linked, suggesting that affected users should be vigilant for updates. Given the widespread use of Android devices, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially in environments where users may be tricked into interacting with malicious content.

For European organizations, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk, particularly for enterprises with a mobile workforce relying on Android devices for sensitive operations. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to install malicious applications without proper user consent or security controls, leading to unauthorized data access, espionage, or disruption of services. The elevation of privilege could enable attackers to bypass mobile device management (MDM) policies, install persistent malware, or exfiltrate confidential information. This is especially critical for sectors like finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure, where data confidentiality and device integrity are paramount. The requirement for user interaction somewhat limits mass exploitation but does not eliminate targeted attacks, phishing campaigns, or social engineering vectors. The lack of patches at the time of disclosure increases the window of exposure. Additionally, the vulnerability undermines trust in Android device security, potentially impacting compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations if breaches occur due to this flaw.

European organizations should implement a multi-layered mitigation strategy beyond generic advice: 1) Enforce strict mobile device management (MDM) policies that restrict app installations and monitor for unauthorized app installations or privilege escalations. 2) Educate users on the risks of interacting with untrusted HTML content or links, emphasizing caution with unknown sources and phishing attempts. 3) Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting anomalous app installation behaviors or privilege escalations on Android devices. 4) Regularly audit device configurations to ensure the 'allow installation from unknown sources' setting remains disabled and monitor for any unauthorized changes. 5) Establish rapid update and patch management processes to deploy security updates as soon as Google releases patches for this vulnerability. 6) Consider network-level protections such as filtering or sandboxing suspicious content that could trigger the vulnerability. 7) For high-risk environments, consider restricting the use of affected Android versions or devices until patches are available.