CVE-2025-26443 is a local elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting Google Android versions 13, 14, and 15. The flaw resides in the parseHtml function of the HtmlToSpannedParser.java component. Due to a logic error in the code, it is possible for an attacker to bypass the usual restriction that prevents installation of applications from unknown sources. This means that an attacker with local access and the ability to trick a user into interacting with malicious HTML content could exploit this vulnerability to install unauthorized applications without the user having enabled the 'allow installation from unknown sources' setting. The vulnerability does not require the attacker to have any additional execution privileges beyond local access, but it does require user interaction to trigger the exploit. While no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature suggests that it could be leveraged to escalate privileges on the affected device, potentially allowing installation of malicious apps that could further compromise device confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The absence of a CVSS score indicates that this is a newly published vulnerability and detailed impact metrics have yet to be formally assessed.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially in environments where Android devices are used for sensitive operations or as part of enterprise mobility management. The ability to install unauthorized applications without explicit user permission undermines device security policies and could lead to the introduction of malware, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within corporate networks. Given that user interaction is required, social engineering or phishing campaigns targeting employees could be used to exploit this vulnerability. The impact extends to confidentiality, as unauthorized apps could access sensitive data; integrity, as malicious apps could alter device or application behavior; and availability, if malware disrupts device operations. Organizations relying on Android devices for secure communications, access to corporate resources, or handling personal data under GDPR must consider this vulnerability a serious threat to their security posture.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should prioritize updating Android devices to patched versions as soon as Google releases security updates addressing CVE-2025-26443. Until patches are available, organizations should enforce strict mobile device management (MDM) policies that restrict installation of applications to trusted sources only and disable sideloading capabilities. User training should emphasize the risks of interacting with unsolicited HTML content or links, particularly those received via email or messaging apps. Implementing application whitelisting and monitoring for unauthorized app installations can help detect exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should audit device configurations to ensure that the 'allow installation from unknown sources' setting remains disabled and consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying suspicious app installation behaviors. Regular security awareness campaigns focusing on social engineering risks will also reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation.