CVE-2025-32350 is a local elevation of privilege vulnerability identified in Google Android versions 14, 15, and 16. The flaw exists in the maybeShowDialog function within the ControlsSettingsDialogManager.kt component. The vulnerability arises from a possible overlay attack, specifically a tapjacking or overlay attack, where an attacker can overlay the ControlsSettingsDialog interface. This overlay can trick the system or user interface into executing unintended actions or granting elevated privileges without the need for additional execution privileges or user interaction. The attack vector does not require user interaction, which significantly increases the risk as exploitation can occur silently once the attacker has local access to the device. The vulnerability allows an attacker with local access to escalate their privileges, potentially gaining higher-level permissions than initially granted. This could enable unauthorized access to sensitive system functions or data, undermining the device's security model. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the nature of the vulnerability suggests that it could be leveraged by malicious applications or attackers who have gained local access through other means, such as physical access or prior compromise. The absence of a CVSS score indicates that the vulnerability is newly published and has not yet been fully assessed for severity by the standard scoring system.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for enterprises and government agencies that rely heavily on Android devices for secure communications and operations. The elevation of privilege can allow attackers to bypass security controls, access sensitive corporate data, or manipulate device settings without detection. This could lead to data breaches, unauthorized access to confidential information, and potential disruption of business operations. The fact that no user interaction is required for exploitation increases the threat level, as attacks could be automated or executed remotely once local access is obtained. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or those that deploy Android devices in critical roles (e.g., mobile workforce, field operations) are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, the vulnerability could be exploited to install persistent malware or spyware, further compromising organizational security and privacy. The lack of a patch or mitigation details at the time of publication means organizations must act proactively to reduce exposure.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting physical and local access to Android devices, ensuring only trusted users can interact with them. 2. Implement strict application whitelisting and permissions management to prevent installation or execution of untrusted or potentially malicious applications that could exploit this vulnerability. 3. Employ Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, monitor device behavior, and remotely disable or wipe compromised devices. 4. Educate users about the risks of installing applications from unknown sources and encourage the use of official app stores only. 5. Monitor for unusual device behavior or privilege escalations using endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools tailored for mobile devices. 6. Stay alert for official patches or security updates from Google and prioritize their deployment as soon as they become available. 7. Consider deploying additional security layers such as application sandboxing and runtime protection to detect and block overlay or tapjacking attacks. 8. For critical environments, consider limiting the use of affected Android versions or devices until a patch is released.