CVE-2025-26464 is a high-severity elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting Google Android version 15. The flaw exists in the executeAppFunction method of the AppSearchManagerService.java component. Due to a logic error, this vulnerability allows a background activity to be launched improperly. This behavior can be exploited locally by an attacker with limited privileges (low privileges) to escalate their privileges without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-693, which relates to protection mechanism failures, indicating that the intended security controls are bypassed or improperly implemented. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and no user interaction needed. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a significant risk for local attackers aiming to gain elevated access on affected Android devices. The absence of a patch link suggests that remediation may still be pending or in progress at the time of publication.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, especially for enterprises relying on Android 15 devices for business operations, including mobile workforce management, secure communications, and access to corporate resources. An attacker exploiting this flaw could gain elevated privileges on a device, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, installation of persistent malware, or lateral movement within enterprise networks. Given that user interaction is not required, the attack surface is broader, increasing the likelihood of exploitation by malicious insiders or compromised local applications. This could undermine data confidentiality, integrity, and availability, impacting compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations. Additionally, sectors with high mobile device usage such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies in Europe could face operational disruptions and reputational damage if targeted.

To mitigate this vulnerability effectively, European organizations should: 1) Prioritize updating Android devices to the latest security patches once Google releases a fix for CVE-2025-26464. 2) Implement strict application whitelisting and privilege management policies to limit the installation and execution of untrusted or unnecessary applications that could exploit this vulnerability. 3) Employ Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce security configurations, monitor device behavior for anomalous activity, and remotely isolate or wipe compromised devices. 4) Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on privilege escalation vectors within mobile environments. 5) Educate users about the risks of installing apps from untrusted sources and encourage adherence to corporate security policies. 6) Monitor security advisories from Google and related threat intelligence feeds to stay informed about exploit developments and remediation timelines.