CVE-2025-48545 is a medium severity vulnerability affecting Google Android versions 13 through 16. The flaw resides in the isSystemUid method of the AccountManagerService.java component. Due to a confused deputy problem, an unprivileged app can access privileged APIs without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction. This vulnerability allows local privilege escalation by exploiting improper access control checks, specifically enabling an app with limited privileges to perform actions or access data normally restricted to system-level processes. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-441 (Incorrect Authorization), indicating that the system fails to properly authorize access to sensitive functionality. Exploitation does not require user interaction, increasing the risk of automated or stealthy attacks. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the potential for local privilege escalation can lead to significant confidentiality breaches, as the CVSS vector indicates a high impact on confidentiality but no impact on integrity or availability. The attack vector is local, requiring the attacker to have some form of local access to the device, but the low attack complexity and lack of user interaction make it a notable threat for devices running the affected Android versions.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to mobile devices running affected Android versions, which are commonly used in enterprise environments. The ability for a local app to escalate privileges without user interaction could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, including emails, contacts, and authentication tokens stored on the device. This can facilitate further lateral movement within corporate networks or data exfiltration. Given the widespread use of Android devices in Europe, particularly in sectors like finance, healthcare, and government, the confidentiality breach potential is significant. However, since exploitation requires local access, the threat is more pronounced in scenarios where devices may be physically accessible by attackers or where malicious apps can be installed without stringent controls. The lack of impact on integrity and availability reduces the risk of system disruption but does not diminish the risk of sensitive information disclosure, which can have regulatory and reputational consequences under GDPR and other data protection frameworks.

European organizations should implement strict mobile device management (MDM) policies to control app installations and enforce the use of trusted app stores. Regularly updating Android devices to versions beyond 16, once patches become available, is critical. Until patches are released, organizations should restrict local access to devices, enforce strong authentication mechanisms, and monitor for unusual app behavior indicative of privilege escalation attempts. Employing runtime application self-protection (RASP) and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions on mobile devices can help detect exploitation attempts. Additionally, educating users about the risks of installing untrusted apps and implementing application whitelisting can reduce the attack surface. Network segmentation to limit access from compromised devices to sensitive corporate resources further mitigates potential impact.