CVE-2025-48535 is a local elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting Google Android versions 13 through 16. The flaw exists in the method assertSafeToStartCustomActivity within the AppRestrictionsFragment.java component. Specifically, the vulnerability arises from unsafe deserialization caused by a parcel mismatch, which leads to a 'launch anywhere' condition. This means that an attacker with local access to the device can exploit the parcel mismatch to bypass normal activity launch restrictions and execute arbitrary activities with elevated privileges. Notably, the exploit does not require any additional execution privileges or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for scenarios where an attacker already has some level of local access, such as through a compromised app or physical access. The vulnerability leverages unsafe deserialization, a common security weakness where untrusted data is deserialized without proper validation, allowing attackers to manipulate the deserialization process to their advantage. Since the vulnerability is in a core Android component responsible for managing app restrictions, successful exploitation could allow an attacker to escalate privileges locally, potentially gaining access to sensitive system functions or data that would otherwise be restricted. No known public exploits are reported at this time, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. However, the vulnerability is published and recognized by Google Android security teams.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially in environments where Android devices are widely used for business operations, including BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies or corporate mobile device management. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could escalate privileges on affected devices without user interaction, potentially leading to unauthorized access to corporate data, bypassing security controls, or installing persistent malware. This could compromise confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information, disrupt availability of critical mobile applications, and undermine trust in mobile device security. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure in Europe that rely heavily on Android devices for secure communications and operations are particularly at risk. The lack of required user interaction increases the risk of silent compromise, making detection and prevention more challenging. Moreover, since the vulnerability affects multiple recent Android versions, a large portion of deployed devices in Europe could be vulnerable until patches are applied.

European organizations should prioritize the following specific mitigation steps: 1) Immediate inventory and identification of Android devices running versions 13 through 16 within their environment. 2) Apply official security patches from Google as soon as they become available; organizations should monitor Google's security bulletins closely. 3) Implement strict mobile device management (MDM) policies to restrict installation of untrusted or potentially malicious applications that could exploit local vulnerabilities. 4) Enforce device encryption and strong authentication mechanisms to reduce the risk of unauthorized local access. 5) Limit physical access to corporate devices and educate users about the risks of installing unverified apps or granting unnecessary permissions. 6) Employ runtime application self-protection (RASP) or endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting abnormal activity indicative of privilege escalation attempts on mobile devices. 7) Consider network segmentation and conditional access policies to minimize the impact of compromised devices on corporate networks. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on proactive device management, patch prioritization, and detection capabilities tailored to the nature of this vulnerability.