CVE-2025-36929 is a vulnerability identified in the Android kernel, specifically within the gxp_fence_manager.cc source file's AreFencesRegistered function. The root cause is improper input validation, which leads to a local information disclosure flaw. This means that an attacker with local access to the device can exploit the vulnerability to leak sensitive information from the kernel or related system components. Notably, exploitation does not require elevated privileges beyond local access, nor does it require any user interaction, making it easier for malicious apps or local attackers to leverage this flaw. The vulnerability affects the Android kernel, a critical component responsible for managing hardware resources and enforcing security boundaries on Android devices. Although no public exploits have been reported, the vulnerability's presence in the kernel layer makes it significant because leaked information could facilitate privilege escalation or other attacks. The lack of a CVSS score indicates that the vulnerability is newly published and pending detailed severity assessment. The vulnerability was reserved in April 2025 and published in December 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. Since the Android kernel is ubiquitous in mobile devices, this vulnerability has a broad potential impact. The technical details do not specify the exact nature of the leaked information, but improper input validation in kernel fence management suggests possible leakage of synchronization or resource state data, which could be leveraged for further attacks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to mobile devices running affected Android kernel versions. The information disclosure could compromise confidentiality by exposing sensitive kernel or system state information, which attackers could use to craft more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or bypassing security controls. Organizations relying heavily on Android devices for business operations, especially those handling sensitive data, could face increased risk of data leakage or device compromise. The vulnerability's local nature means that attackers need some form of local access, such as through malicious apps or physical access, which may limit remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk in environments with BYOD policies or insufficient endpoint controls. The widespread use of Android devices across Europe, including in government, healthcare, finance, and critical infrastructure sectors, amplifies the potential impact. Additionally, the lack of user interaction requirement increases the risk of silent exploitation. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate threat but does not preclude future exploitation once details become more widely known.

Organizations should prioritize patch management by applying security updates from Google or device manufacturers as soon as patches for CVE-2025-36929 become available. Until patches are deployed, restricting installation of untrusted or unknown applications can reduce the risk of local exploitation. Employing mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce application whitelisting and limit local access can help mitigate exposure. Monitoring devices for unusual local activity or privilege escalation attempts can provide early detection of exploitation attempts. Educating users about the risks of installing unverified applications and maintaining strict physical device security policies will further reduce risk. For high-security environments, consider isolating critical Android devices or limiting their use to trusted applications only. Vendors and developers should review and improve input validation in kernel components to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Finally, organizations should maintain an inventory of Android devices and their kernel versions to identify and prioritize vulnerable endpoints.