CVE-2025-48561 is a side-channel information disclosure vulnerability affecting multiple versions of the Google Android operating system, specifically versions 13 through 16. The vulnerability allows an attacker to access data displayed on the device screen through side-channel methods without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction. Side-channel attacks exploit indirect information leakage such as timing, power consumption, electromagnetic leaks, or other observable characteristics to infer sensitive data. In this case, the vulnerability exists in multiple locations within the Android OS, potentially allowing a local attacker or malicious app running on the device to glean sensitive information that is visually presented on the screen. Since no elevated privileges or user actions are necessary, exploitation can occur silently and without alerting the user. The lack of a CVSS score and absence of known exploits in the wild suggest this vulnerability is newly disclosed and may require further research to fully understand exploitation techniques. However, the technical details indicate a significant risk of confidentiality breach through local information disclosure, which could expose sensitive user data such as credentials, personal information, or other confidential content displayed on the device. The vulnerability affects recent Android versions, which are widely deployed globally, including across Europe.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a considerable risk to the confidentiality of sensitive information accessed or displayed on Android devices used within corporate environments. Many enterprises rely on Android smartphones and tablets for business communications, access to corporate applications, and handling sensitive data. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially extract confidential information without detection, leading to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or exposure of personal data protected under regulations such as GDPR. The fact that no user interaction or elevated privileges are required increases the risk of stealthy exploitation, making it harder to detect and prevent. This could impact sectors with high data sensitivity such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged for espionage or targeted attacks against high-value individuals or organizations within Europe. The absence of known exploits currently limits immediate widespread impact, but the potential for future exploitation necessitates proactive mitigation.

Given the absence of an official patch or CVSS score, European organizations should adopt a multi-layered mitigation approach. First, they should monitor for official security updates from Google and prioritize timely patching of Android devices once fixes become available. Until patches are released, organizations should enforce strict application control policies, limiting installation of untrusted or unnecessary apps that could exploit the vulnerability. Employing mobile threat defense (MTD) solutions that detect anomalous app behavior or side-channel attack patterns can provide additional protection. Device encryption and secure screen lock mechanisms should be enforced to reduce unauthorized local access. Organizations should also educate users about the risks of installing apps from unknown sources and encourage the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) to protect data in transit. For highly sensitive environments, consider restricting the use of affected Android versions or deploying mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and monitor device integrity. Finally, continuous monitoring for unusual device activity and incident response readiness will help mitigate potential exploitation consequences.