CVE-2025-48542 is a vulnerability identified in multiple functions within the AccountManagerService.java component of the Google Android operating system, specifically affecting versions 13 through 16. The flaw arises from improper resource management that can lead to resource exhaustion, resulting in a permanent denial of service (DoS) condition. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-400, which pertains to uncontrolled resource consumption. Exploitation of this vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be triggered locally by an attacker with limited privileges (PR:L). The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker must have local access to the device. The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or integrity but severely affects availability by causing the AccountManagerService to become unresponsive or crash due to resource depletion. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, indicating a medium severity level. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability’s exploitation does not require elevated privileges beyond limited local access, nor does it require user interaction, making it a stealthy and potentially disruptive attack against Android devices. The affected component, AccountManagerService, is critical for managing user accounts on Android devices, so its disruption can significantly degrade device functionality and user experience.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to mobile devices running affected Android versions (13 to 16). Organizations relying on Android smartphones and tablets for business operations, especially those with employees handling sensitive data or critical communications, could face operational disruptions. The denial of service could prevent access to account management features, potentially locking users out of essential services or applications that depend on these accounts. This could lead to productivity losses, hindered communication, and increased support costs. In sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, where mobile device availability is crucial, the impact could be more pronounced. Although the vulnerability does not allow data theft or modification, the availability impact can indirectly affect business continuity and incident response capabilities. Since exploitation requires local access, the threat is higher in environments where devices might be physically accessible to attackers or where malicious insiders exist. The lack of user interaction requirement increases the risk of automated or stealthy attacks once local access is obtained.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should prioritize updating Android devices to versions beyond 16 once patches are released by Google. Until patches are available, organizations should implement strict physical security controls to limit unauthorized local access to devices. Device management policies should enforce screen locks, strong authentication, and remote wipe capabilities to reduce the risk of exploitation. Monitoring for unusual device behavior or crashes related to AccountManagerService can help detect attempted exploitation. Organizations should also educate users about the risks of granting local access to untrusted parties and consider restricting the use of devices in high-risk environments. For enterprise-managed devices, deploying Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions that can enforce security policies and monitor device health is recommended. Additionally, organizations should keep abreast of updates from Google and apply security advisories promptly once patches become available.