CVE-2025-48556 is a local elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting Google Android versions 15 and 16. The issue arises from multiple methods within the NotificationChannel.java component, where improper input validation leads to a possible desynchronization between in-memory state and persistent storage. This desynchronization can be exploited by a local attacker to escalate privileges without requiring any additional execution privileges beyond those already granted to the user. However, exploitation requires user interaction, implying that the attacker must trick or convince the user to perform some action that triggers the vulnerability. The flaw is rooted in the way notification channels are managed and persisted, which could allow an attacker to manipulate notification channel data to gain elevated privileges on the affected device. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches or CVSS scores have been published yet. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it targets the Android operating system's notification management subsystem, which is critical for app notifications and user interaction.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk primarily on devices running Android versions 15 and 16, which may be used by employees or within enterprise environments. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker with local access—potentially through social engineering or malicious apps requiring user interaction—to elevate their privileges on the device. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, bypass of security controls, or installation of persistent malware. The requirement for user interaction somewhat limits the risk but does not eliminate it, especially in environments where users may be targeted with phishing or malicious apps. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is high, as elevated privileges could allow data exfiltration or manipulation. Availability impact is likely medium, as privilege escalation could lead to denial of service or disruption of device functionality. Given the widespread use of Android devices in Europe, including in critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, the vulnerability could have broad implications if exploited at scale.

Organizations should prioritize updating affected Android devices to patched versions once available from Google or device manufacturers. Until patches are released, enterprises should implement strict application whitelisting and restrict installation of apps from untrusted sources to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. User awareness training is critical to minimize risky user interactions that could trigger exploitation, such as opening suspicious notifications or installing unverified apps. Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions should be used to enforce security policies, monitor device behavior, and restrict permissions related to notifications and app installations. Additionally, organizations should audit and monitor devices for unusual privilege escalations or suspicious activity indicative of exploitation attempts. For high-risk environments, consider temporarily limiting the use of affected Android versions or isolating devices until patches are applied.