CVE-2025-36907 is a high-severity elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting the Android kernel, specifically within the draw_surface_image() function located in abl/android/lib/draw/draw.c. The root cause is a heap buffer overflow that results in an out-of-bounds write. This vulnerability can be exploited locally via USB fastboot mode, but only after the device's bootloader has been unlocked. Notably, the exploit does not require any additional execution privileges beyond those available in fastboot mode, but it does require user interaction to initiate the exploit. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) and CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow), both of which can lead to serious memory corruption issues. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to escalate privileges on the device, potentially gaining kernel-level access. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.3, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with attack vector local, low attack complexity, requiring low privileges and user interaction. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that mitigation may rely on forthcoming updates or manual protective measures. The vulnerability's exploitation path is constrained by the prerequisite of an unlocked bootloader, which is typically a deliberate user action, but once unlocked, the device is exposed to this risk during fastboot operations.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-36907 can be significant, especially for those relying on Android devices for sensitive communications, mobile workforce operations, or embedded Android systems in IoT or industrial environments. An attacker with physical access and user interaction could exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges on affected devices, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, device manipulation, or persistent malware installation at the kernel level. This could compromise confidentiality of corporate data, integrity of device operations, and availability of critical mobile services. Given the requirement for bootloader unlocking, the risk is somewhat mitigated for standard users, but organizations with BYOD policies or devices with unlocked bootloaders for development or customization purposes face higher exposure. The vulnerability could also be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value individuals or devices within European enterprises or government agencies, especially where physical access controls are weaker or devices are used in field operations.

To mitigate CVE-2025-36907, European organizations should implement a multi-layered approach: 1) Enforce strict policies against bootloader unlocking on corporate Android devices to prevent exposure to this vulnerability. 2) Educate users about the risks associated with unlocking bootloaders and using fastboot mode, emphasizing the need for caution and limiting physical access to devices. 3) Monitor and restrict physical access to devices, especially in sensitive environments, to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 4) Deploy mobile device management (MDM) solutions that can detect and report bootloader status and unauthorized modifications. 5) Apply security updates promptly once Google or device manufacturers release patches addressing this vulnerability. 6) For devices requiring unlocked bootloaders for legitimate reasons, consider additional endpoint security controls such as kernel integrity monitoring and anomaly detection to identify exploitation attempts. 7) Regularly audit device configurations and usage policies to ensure compliance with security standards that minimize exposure to local privilege escalation threats.