CVE-2025-27701 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting the Android kernel, specifically within the function process_crypto_cmd. The issue arises because the function handles an array of pointers (ptrs[i]) that can potentially be NULL after a call to slice_map_array(). However, these pointers are dereferenced later in the code without a prior NULL check. This improper handling can lead to an out-of-bounds (OOB) read or a local temporary denial of service (DoS). The OOB read can cause information disclosure by allowing an attacker to read memory contents that should not be accessible, potentially leaking sensitive data. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-476 (NULL Pointer Dereference), which typically results in crashes or unintended behavior. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, indicating a medium severity, with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. This means the attack requires local access with low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and impacts confidentiality with high impact but no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability affects the Android kernel, which is a core component of Android devices, implying that devices running vulnerable kernel versions could be impacted. Exploitation requires local access and some privileges, which limits the attack surface primarily to local users or malicious apps with some kernel interaction capabilities.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-27701 depends largely on the deployment of Android devices within their environment, particularly those running vulnerable kernel versions. Since the vulnerability allows local attackers to cause temporary denial of service or information disclosure via OOB reads, it could be exploited by malicious insiders or compromised applications to leak sensitive information stored in kernel memory. This could include cryptographic keys or other sensitive data processed by the kernel's crypto subsystem. While the attack requires local access and some privileges, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or those that use Android devices for sensitive operations could face risks of data leakage or service disruption. The temporary DoS could impact device availability, potentially disrupting business operations relying on mobile devices. Additionally, the information disclosure could aid attackers in further attacks by revealing kernel memory contents. However, the lack of known exploits and the medium severity score suggest that the immediate risk is moderate. Still, organizations should prioritize patching once fixes become available to prevent escalation of privileges or data leakage in targeted attacks.

1. Monitor for official patches or kernel updates from Google and device manufacturers and apply them promptly once available. 2. Restrict local access to Android devices, enforcing strong device access controls and limiting installation of untrusted applications that could exploit this vulnerability. 3. Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, including restricting app permissions and monitoring for suspicious behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 4. Conduct regular security audits on Android devices used within the organization to ensure they are running updated kernel versions and have no unauthorized modifications. 5. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted apps and the importance of device security hygiene to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 6. For high-security environments, consider isolating sensitive operations from Android devices or using hardened devices with verified kernel versions. 7. Implement runtime protection mechanisms or kernel integrity monitoring tools where feasible to detect abnormal kernel memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.