CVE-2025-36911 is a vulnerability discovered in the Android kernel's implementation of key-based pairing, which is commonly used in Bluetooth and other wireless protocols to establish trusted connections between devices. The root cause is a logic error in the code handling the pairing process, which leads to unintended information disclosure. Specifically, this flaw allows an attacker within physical proximity—such as someone nearby using Bluetooth or similar wireless communication—to remotely access sensitive information including the user's conversations and location data. The vulnerability does not require the attacker to have any privileges on the device, nor does it require any user interaction, making it easier to exploit. The attack vector is classified as adjacent network access, meaning the attacker must be near the victim device but does not need to be connected or authenticated. The vulnerability affects the Android kernel, which underpins the operating system on a vast number of mobile devices globally. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, the potential for privacy breaches is significant due to the high confidentiality impact. The CVSS score of 7.1 reflects a high severity rating, emphasizing the critical nature of the information disclosure. The flaw could be leveraged by attackers to gather intelligence on user activities and locations, which could be further used for targeted attacks or surveillance. The lack of required user interaction and privileges increases the risk profile, as typical security controls like user awareness or privilege separation do not mitigate this threat. Since the vulnerability is in the kernel, it affects all Android devices running vulnerable versions of the kernel, which includes a large portion of smartphones and tablets worldwide. The absence of patches at the time of reporting means organizations must be vigilant and prepare for rapid deployment once fixes are released.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-36911 is primarily on the confidentiality of sensitive information. The vulnerability enables attackers in close physical proximity to intercept or extract private conversations and location data from Android devices without any user interaction or elevated privileges. This can lead to privacy violations, corporate espionage, and targeted surveillance, especially for organizations handling sensitive or classified information. Sectors such as government, defense, finance, and critical infrastructure are particularly at risk due to the potential exposure of confidential communications and location tracking of key personnel. The ease of exploitation combined with the widespread use of Android devices in Europe increases the likelihood of targeted attacks in urban and corporate environments where attackers can physically approach victims. Although the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the breach of confidentiality alone can have severe operational and reputational consequences. Additionally, the lack of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window of opportunity for organizations to implement mitigations before active exploitation occurs. However, failure to address the vulnerability promptly could result in increased risks from espionage and privacy breaches, especially in high-value targets.

1. Monitor official Google and Android vendor channels closely for the release of security patches addressing CVE-2025-36911 and prioritize their deployment across all affected devices in the organization. 2. Implement physical security controls to limit unauthorized individuals' proximity to employees' Android devices, especially in sensitive environments, to reduce the risk of adjacent network exploitation. 3. Educate employees about the risks of using wireless pairing features in public or unsecured locations and encourage disabling Bluetooth or similar wireless interfaces when not in use. 4. Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies that restrict or monitor wireless communications and pairing activities on corporate Android devices. 5. Use network segmentation and wireless intrusion detection systems (WIDS) to detect anomalous wireless activity that could indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. 6. For high-risk personnel, consider using devices with alternative operating systems or hardened configurations that are not affected by this vulnerability until patches are available. 7. Regularly audit and update device firmware and software to minimize exposure to kernel-level vulnerabilities. 8. Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to develop incident response plans specific to information disclosure incidents involving mobile devices.