CVE-2025-48533 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability affecting multiple recent versions of the Google Android operating system, specifically versions 13 through 16. The vulnerability arises from a race condition in the handling of apps linked from a context menu within a lockscreen app. Due to this race condition, an attacker with local access to the device can exploit the timing flaw to escalate privileges without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction. This means that an attacker who already has limited access to the device—such as through a malicious app running with restricted permissions or physical access—can leverage this flaw to gain higher privileges, potentially reaching system or root level access. The absence of user interaction requirements increases the risk, as exploitation can occur silently in the background. The vulnerability is present in multiple locations within the Android system, indicating a systemic issue in how context menus and linked apps are handled on the lockscreen. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. However, the nature of the vulnerability suggests it could be leveraged to bypass security controls, access sensitive data, or install persistent malware. The lack of a patch link indicates that a fix may still be pending or in development at the time of publication.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for enterprises and government agencies that rely heavily on Android devices for communication, data access, and operational tasks. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain elevated privileges on employee or official devices, bypassing security restrictions and potentially accessing confidential information, corporate networks, or secure applications. This could lead to data breaches, espionage, or disruption of services. The fact that no user interaction is needed increases the threat level, as attacks could be automated or executed remotely via malicious apps or compromised devices. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies or those deploying Android devices in sensitive environments are particularly vulnerable. Additionally, the vulnerability could be exploited by insiders or attackers with temporary physical access to devices, making it a concern for physical security as well. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and services is high if exploited.

European organizations should prioritize the following mitigation steps: 1) Monitor for official patches or updates from Google and apply them immediately once available, as this vulnerability affects core Android versions widely used. 2) Implement strict device management policies using Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to restrict installation of untrusted or unknown applications, reducing the risk of malicious apps exploiting this flaw. 3) Enforce strong physical security controls to prevent unauthorized physical access to devices, as local access is required for exploitation. 4) Educate users about the risks of installing apps from unofficial sources and encourage the use of Google Play Protect and other security features. 5) Employ runtime application self-protection (RASP) and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting suspicious privilege escalation attempts on Android devices. 6) Regularly audit device configurations and permissions to minimize the attack surface. 7) Consider isolating sensitive applications or data using containerization or sandboxing techniques to limit the impact of potential privilege escalations. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on both technical controls and user behavior to reduce exploitation likelihood.