CVE-2025-26454 is a high-severity local privilege escalation vulnerability affecting Google Android versions 13, 14, and 15. The flaw exists in the validateUriSchemeAndPermission function within the DisclaimersParserImpl.java component. It is characterized as a confused deputy problem (CWE-441), where the vulnerable code improperly validates URI schemes and permissions, allowing a malicious local application or user to access data belonging to another user on the same device. This vulnerability does not require additional execution privileges or user interaction to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or devices with multiple profiles. The attacker only needs limited privileges (low privileges) to trigger the flaw, which can lead to full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data on the device. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.8 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with relatively low attack complexity and no user interaction required. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's nature and ease of exploitation make it a significant risk, especially as Android 13 through 15 are widely deployed in consumer and enterprise devices globally. The vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass Android's user isolation mechanisms, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, manipulation, or denial of service on affected devices.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a serious threat, especially those relying on Android devices for sensitive communications, data storage, or operational control. The ability to escalate privileges locally without user interaction means that compromised or malicious applications could silently access or manipulate data across user boundaries, undermining data confidentiality and integrity. This could lead to data breaches involving personal data protected under GDPR, resulting in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies that use Android devices for secure communications or mobile workforce management could face operational disruptions or espionage risks. The vulnerability also increases the attack surface for insider threats or malware that gains initial foothold with limited privileges. Given the widespread use of Android devices in Europe, the potential impact includes loss of sensitive corporate data, unauthorized access to internal systems, and disruption of business processes.

European organizations should prioritize patching affected Android devices as soon as Google releases official security updates addressing CVE-2025-26454. Until patches are available, organizations should implement strict application control policies to limit installation of untrusted or unnecessary apps, reducing the risk of local exploitation. Employ Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, restrict app permissions, and monitor for suspicious activities indicative of privilege escalation attempts. Segmentation of user profiles and limiting multi-user access on devices can reduce the impact of the vulnerability. Regularly audit installed applications and remove those with excessive permissions or from unverified sources. Additionally, organizations should educate users about the risks of installing apps from unofficial sources and encourage the use of Google Play Protect or similar security services. For high-security environments, consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of detecting anomalous local privilege escalation behaviors on Android devices. Finally, maintain an inventory of Android devices and their OS versions to ensure timely identification of vulnerable endpoints.