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CVE-2025-48559: Denial of service in Google Android

Medium
VulnerabilityCVE-2025-48559cvecve-2025-48559
Published: Thu Sep 04 2025 (09/04/2025, 18:34:36 UTC)
Source: CVE Database V5
Vendor/Project: Google
Product: Android

Description

In multiple functions of AppOpsService.java, there is a possible add a large amount of app ops due to improper input validation. This could lead to local denial of service with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 09/04/2025, 18:55:28 UTC

Technical Analysis

CVE-2025-48559 is a vulnerability identified in multiple functions within the AppOpsService.java component of the Google Android operating system, specifically affecting Android versions 13 through 16. The flaw arises from improper input validation that allows an attacker to add an excessive number of app operations (app ops). AppOpsService is responsible for managing application operation permissions and restrictions on Android devices. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker can cause a local denial of service (DoS) condition. The attack does not require any additional execution privileges or user interaction, meaning that any local application or process can trigger the vulnerability without needing elevated permissions or user consent. The improper input validation leads to resource exhaustion or instability within the AppOpsService, potentially causing the affected device to become unresponsive or crash. Since this is a local vulnerability, remote exploitation is not feasible; however, any malicious or compromised app running on the device could exploit this flaw to disrupt normal device operation. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches or mitigations have been linked yet. The lack of a CVSS score indicates that the vulnerability is newly disclosed and pending further assessment. Given the nature of the flaw, it primarily impacts device availability rather than confidentiality or integrity.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-48559 depends largely on the prevalence of affected Android versions within their mobile device fleets. Many enterprises rely on Android devices for communication, mobile workforce management, and access to corporate resources. A local denial of service vulnerability could disrupt employee productivity by causing devices to freeze or reboot unexpectedly. This could lead to temporary loss of access to critical business applications, communication tools, or security controls enforced via mobile device management (MDM) solutions. Although the vulnerability does not allow privilege escalation or data exfiltration, the resulting device instability could indirectly affect operational continuity, especially in sectors relying heavily on mobile operations such as logistics, field services, and healthcare. Additionally, if exploited by malicious insiders or compromised apps, this vulnerability could be used as a denial of service vector to degrade endpoint availability. The absence of required user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation by any local app, increasing risk in environments where device control is less stringent. However, since exploitation is local, the threat is mitigated in tightly controlled corporate environments with strict app installation policies and device management.

Mitigation Recommendations

To mitigate CVE-2025-48559, European organizations should first inventory their Android device fleet to identify devices running affected versions 13 through 16. Immediate steps include restricting installation of untrusted or third-party applications that could exploit this vulnerability. Enforcing strict app whitelisting and using enterprise mobility management (EMM) or mobile device management (MDM) solutions to control app permissions and monitor abnormal app behavior is critical. Organizations should monitor for unusual device crashes or reboots that may indicate exploitation attempts. Until official patches are released by Google, applying any available security updates promptly is essential. If possible, upgrading devices to newer Android versions beyond 16, where this vulnerability is presumably fixed, is recommended. Additionally, educating users about the risks of installing unverified apps and maintaining strong endpoint security hygiene will reduce the attack surface. Network segmentation and limiting local device access to trusted users can further reduce exploitation risk. Finally, organizations should stay informed via official Google security advisories for patch releases and implement them as soon as available.

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Technical Details

Data Version
5.1
Assigner Short Name
google_android
Date Reserved
2025-05-22T18:11:29.901Z
Cvss Version
null
State
PUBLISHED

Threat ID: 68b9dcc788499799243c3002

Added to database: 9/4/2025, 6:39:03 PM

Last enriched: 9/4/2025, 6:55:28 PM

Last updated: 9/5/2025, 4:02:46 PM

Views: 8

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