CVE-2025-48524 is a medium severity vulnerability affecting Google Android versions 13 through 16. The flaw exists in the isSystem method of the WifiPermissionsUtil.java component, where a missing permission check leads to a permission bypass. This vulnerability allows a local attacker with limited privileges (PR:L) to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on the device without requiring any user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability is classified under CWE-862, which pertains to improper authorization. Specifically, the missing permission check means that certain operations related to Wi-Fi permissions can be exploited to disrupt normal system functionality, resulting in an availability impact. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting a medium severity level, with an attack vector limited to local access and low attack complexity. No confidentiality or integrity impacts are noted, and no additional privileges beyond limited local access are required. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious local applications or users to cause system instability or crashes, potentially affecting device usability and network connectivity.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to mobile devices running affected Android versions (13 to 16). The denial of service could disrupt employee productivity by causing device crashes or network connectivity issues, especially in environments relying heavily on Wi-Fi connectivity. Critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies that use Android devices for secure communications and operations could experience operational interruptions. Although the vulnerability does not allow data theft or modification, the availability impact could hinder business continuity and incident response capabilities. Additionally, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies may face increased risk if users’ personal devices are affected and used to access corporate resources. The lack of required user interaction means exploitation could occur silently, increasing the risk of unnoticed disruptions.

Organizations should prioritize updating Android devices to patched versions once available from Google or device manufacturers. Until patches are released, restricting installation of untrusted local applications and enforcing strict app permission policies can reduce the risk of exploitation. Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions should be used to monitor device health and enforce security configurations. Network segmentation and limiting Wi-Fi access to trusted devices can minimize exposure. Additionally, educating users about the risks of installing unknown apps and monitoring for unusual device behavior can help detect potential exploitation attempts. For critical environments, consider temporarily disabling Wi-Fi or using alternative secure connectivity methods if feasible. Regularly reviewing device logs for crashes or abnormal Wi-Fi permission requests can aid early detection.