CVE-2025-48526 is a vulnerability identified in the Android operating system, specifically affecting versions 13, 14, 15, and 16. The flaw exists in the createMultiProfilePagerAdapter method within the ChooserActivity.java component. This method improperly validates input, which allows a malicious application to launch the ChooserActivity in a different user profile than the one it belongs to. Android supports multiple user profiles on a single device, isolating data and apps between profiles. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker can bypass this isolation and gain elevated privileges within another profile without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-266, which relates to improper authorization. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.0 (medium severity), with an attack vector of local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The impact is limited to a low confidentiality breach, with no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked at the time of publication. This vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious apps installed on a device to access or interfere with data or functionality in other user profiles, potentially compromising user privacy and security boundaries enforced by Android's multi-profile architecture.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-48526 is a local escalation of privilege across user profiles on affected Android devices. This could allow a malicious app to access data or resources in another profile that should be isolated, potentially exposing sensitive information or enabling unauthorized actions within that profile. Although the confidentiality impact is rated low, it still undermines the security model of multi-profile isolation, which is critical for devices shared among multiple users or for separating work and personal environments. There is no direct impact on system integrity or availability, reducing the risk of destructive attacks. However, the ability to bypass profile boundaries could facilitate further attacks or data leakage. Organizations relying on Android devices for secure multi-user environments, such as enterprises using work profiles, may face increased risk of insider threats or malware lateral movement. The lack of required user interaction and no need for additional privileges make exploitation easier for local attackers or malicious apps already installed on the device. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially once exploit code becomes available.

To mitigate CVE-2025-48526, organizations and users should: 1) Monitor official Google Android security bulletins and update devices promptly once patches become available for affected versions (13-16). 2) Restrict installation of apps from untrusted sources or unknown developers to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. 3) Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce app whitelisting and profile separation policies, limiting the ability of apps to interact across profiles. 4) Disable or limit multi-profile usage on devices where it is not required, reducing the attack surface. 5) Conduct regular security audits and app permission reviews to detect suspicious app behavior that may attempt cross-profile activity. 6) Encourage users to avoid rooting or modifying devices, which could increase vulnerability exploitation risk. 7) For enterprises, consider additional endpoint protection tools that monitor inter-profile communication or privilege escalation attempts. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling app sources, managing multi-profile configurations, and preparing for patch deployment.