CVE-2025-36919 is a vulnerability identified in the Android kernel, specifically within the aocc_read function of the aoc_channel_dev.c source file. The root cause is a double free condition triggered by improper locking mechanisms, classified under CWE-415 (Double Free). This flaw allows a local attacker with limited privileges to exploit the kernel memory management error to escalate their privileges to kernel level without needing additional execution privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability's CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating high severity, with attack vector as local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring low privileges (PR:L), and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact metrics indicate high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts (C:H/I:H/A:H), meaning a successful exploit could fully compromise the device. The vulnerability is present in the Android kernel, which is the core of the Android operating system running on billions of devices worldwide. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the nature of the flaw makes it a critical concern for device security, especially in environments where local access could be gained by malicious actors. The improper locking leading to double free can cause memory corruption, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution or system crashes, thereby compromising device stability and security.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of Android devices in enterprise and consumer environments. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain kernel-level privileges, bypassing security controls and potentially accessing sensitive corporate data, modifying system configurations, or deploying persistent malware. This could lead to data breaches, loss of intellectual property, and disruption of business operations. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means critical systems relying on Android devices for communication, authentication, or operational control could be severely affected. Additionally, sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which often use Android devices for secure communications and mobile applications, are at heightened risk. The lack of required user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation, increasing the urgency for mitigation. Furthermore, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value individuals or organizations within Europe, especially where local access to devices is feasible.

To mitigate CVE-2025-36919, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Monitor for and promptly apply official security patches from Google and device manufacturers as soon as they become available, as no patches are currently listed. 2) Restrict physical and local access to Android devices, enforcing strict device usage policies and employing mobile device management (MDM) solutions to control and monitor device integrity. 3) Employ kernel integrity monitoring tools to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected memory corruption or crashes. 4) Harden device configurations by disabling unnecessary kernel modules and services that could be exploited locally. 5) Educate users and administrators about the risks of local privilege escalation and enforce strong authentication mechanisms to reduce the risk of unauthorized local access. 6) For high-security environments, consider using Android Enterprise with enhanced security features and sandboxing to limit the impact of kernel-level compromises. 7) Maintain an incident response plan that includes procedures for detecting and responding to local privilege escalation attempts on mobile devices. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling local access, monitoring kernel integrity, and preparing for incident response specific to Android kernel vulnerabilities.