CVE-2025-48525 is a vulnerability identified in the Android operating system, specifically within the DisassociationProcessor.java component responsible for managing the disassociation process between an Android device and its companion devices. The flaw stems from improper input validation during the disassociation process, which allows a malicious app to continue reading notifications even after it is no longer associated with a companion device. This behavior constitutes an elevation of privilege because the app can access notification data beyond its intended scope without requiring additional execution privileges or any user interaction. The vulnerability affects Android versions 13, 14, 15, and 16, covering a broad range of currently supported devices. Since notifications often contain sensitive information such as messages, alerts, or authentication tokens, unauthorized access could lead to information disclosure or facilitate further attacks. The vulnerability is local, meaning the attacker must have an app installed on the device, but no special permissions or user actions are needed to exploit it. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the flaw’s nature makes it a significant risk. The absence of a CVSS score indicates that this is a newly published vulnerability, and the technical details suggest a medium to high risk due to the potential confidentiality breach and ease of exploitation. The flaw highlights the importance of robust input validation in inter-device communication components within Android.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to mobile device security and data confidentiality. Many enterprises rely on Android devices for communication, notifications, and access to corporate resources. A malicious app exploiting this flaw could access sensitive notifications containing corporate emails, authentication codes, or other confidential data, potentially leading to data leakage or enabling lateral movement within corporate networks. The lack of required user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation, increasing the risk of stealthy attacks. This could impact sectors with high mobile usage such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies. Additionally, organizations with bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies may face increased exposure if employees’ devices are compromised. The vulnerability could also undermine trust in mobile device security, affecting compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR if sensitive personal data is exposed. However, since exploitation requires local app installation, the impact is somewhat limited to scenarios where device control is partially compromised.

Organizations should proactively monitor for patches from Google addressing CVE-2025-48525 and prioritize their deployment across all affected Android devices (versions 13 to 16). Until patches are available, enforce strict app installation policies, limiting installations to trusted sources such as the Google Play Store and using mobile device management (MDM) solutions to control app permissions and monitor unusual app behavior. Employ application whitelisting and regularly audit installed apps for suspicious activity. Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted apps and encourage the use of endpoint protection solutions that can detect malicious app behavior. Additionally, organizations should review notification content policies to minimize sensitive information exposure in notifications. For critical environments, consider disabling companion device features if not required, reducing the attack surface. Finally, implement robust incident response plans to quickly identify and remediate any exploitation attempts.