CVE-2025-36891 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting the Android kernel, as identified in the Google Android operating system. Elevation of privilege (EoP) vulnerabilities allow an attacker with limited access or permissions to gain higher-level privileges, potentially enabling them to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. Since the vulnerability resides in the Android kernel, exploitation could allow attackers to bypass security restrictions, gain root access, or manipulate system processes. The lack of detailed technical information, such as the specific kernel component affected or the exploitation vector, limits precise analysis. However, kernel-level EoP vulnerabilities are typically critical because the kernel controls core system functions and security enforcement. The vulnerability was reserved in April 2025 and published in September 2025, with no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and no patches or mitigation links are currently available. Given that the Android kernel is a foundational component of the Android OS, this vulnerability potentially affects a wide range of Android devices, including smartphones, tablets, and embedded systems running affected kernel versions. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could escalate privileges from a limited user or application context to full system control, enabling further malicious activities such as installing persistent malware, accessing sensitive data, or disrupting device functionality.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-36891 could be significant, especially for those relying heavily on Android devices for business operations, mobile workforce, or IoT deployments. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to corporate data, compromise of mobile device management (MDM) controls, and potential lateral movement within enterprise networks if compromised devices connect to internal resources. The elevation of privilege at the kernel level could also undermine device integrity, allowing attackers to install rootkits or persistent malware that evade detection. This could affect sectors with high mobile device usage such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies. Additionally, organizations involved in critical infrastructure or with regulatory compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR) could face legal and reputational risks if sensitive data is exposed or devices are compromised. The lack of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk, but the potential for future exploitation necessitates proactive measures.

Given the absence of patches at the time of this report, European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation strategies: 1) Enforce strict application control and least privilege policies on Android devices to limit the ability of untrusted apps to execute or escalate privileges. 2) Utilize Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) solutions that can detect anomalous behavior indicative of privilege escalation attempts. 3) Restrict installation of applications to trusted sources only, such as Google Play Store with verified developers, and disable sideloading where possible. 4) Monitor device logs and security telemetry for unusual kernel-level activity or crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts. 5) Maintain up-to-date inventories of Android devices and their kernel versions to quickly identify and prioritize vulnerable devices once patches become available. 6) Collaborate with device manufacturers and Google to obtain and deploy security updates promptly. 7) Educate users on the risks of installing untrusted applications and the importance of timely updates. 8) For critical deployments, consider network segmentation and conditional access policies to limit the impact of compromised devices. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on device management, monitoring, and user behavior tailored to the Android kernel vulnerability context.