CVE-2025-36904 is a recently disclosed elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting the WLAN component of the Android kernel on Google Pixel devices running Android versions prior to the patch date of September 5, 2025. The vulnerability allows an attacker to escalate their privileges on the affected device, potentially gaining higher-level access than originally permitted. Specifically, the flaw resides within the WLAN subsystem of the Android kernel, which manages wireless network communications. Exploiting this vulnerability could enable a malicious actor with limited access—such as a local user or a malicious app with restricted permissions—to execute code or commands with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the device's security posture. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability's presence in the kernel layer makes it particularly sensitive, as kernel-level compromises can lead to full device control, bypassing Android's security sandboxing mechanisms. The vulnerability was reserved in April 2025 and published in early September 2025, but no CVSS score has been assigned yet, and no official patches or exploit mitigations have been linked in the provided data. Given the affected product is the Android kernel on Google Pixel devices, the scope is limited to these devices, but the impact on affected users could be severe if exploited.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-36904 could be significant, especially for those with employees or operations relying on Google Pixel devices for sensitive communications or access to corporate resources. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain elevated privileges on compromised devices, potentially leading to unauthorized access to corporate data, interception of communications, or deployment of persistent malware. This could facilitate lateral movement within corporate networks if the compromised device is used as a gateway. Additionally, organizations in sectors with high security requirements—such as finance, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure—may face increased risks due to the potential for data breaches or espionage. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability's kernel-level nature means that once exploited, it could severely undermine device integrity and confidentiality. Moreover, the absence of a patch at the time of disclosure necessitates rapid response planning to mitigate potential exploitation. The impact is also heightened in remote work scenarios where employees use personal or corporate Pixel devices outside traditional network perimeters.

To mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2025-36904, European organizations should implement a multi-layered approach: 1) Inventory and identify all Google Pixel devices within the organization to understand exposure. 2) Immediately apply any official patches or security updates released by Google once available; monitor Google's security advisories closely. 3) Until patches are available, restrict the use of Pixel devices for sensitive operations or access to critical corporate resources. 4) Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, restrict installation of untrusted applications, and monitor device behavior for anomalies indicative of privilege escalation attempts. 5) Educate users on the risks of installing unverified apps and the importance of applying system updates promptly. 6) Consider network-level controls such as conditional access policies that limit device access based on compliance status. 7) For highly sensitive environments, consider temporarily replacing Pixel devices with alternative hardware until the vulnerability is remediated. 8) Monitor security logs and endpoint detection systems for unusual activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on device-specific controls and organizational policies tailored to the affected platform.