CVE-2025-48566 is a vulnerability identified in Google Android operating system versions 13 through 16. It involves an elevation of privilege caused by improper input validation in multiple locations within the Android framework. Specifically, the flaw allows a local attacker to bypass user profile boundaries by exploiting a forwarded intent mechanism. Intents in Android are used for inter-process communication, and improper validation can allow malicious actors to manipulate these intents to gain unauthorized access or escalate privileges beyond their intended scope. The vulnerability does not require any additional execution privileges or user interaction, making it easier to exploit once local access is obtained. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 indicates a high severity, with the vector showing local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). The underlying weakness corresponds to CWE-20, which relates to improper input validation, a common source of security issues. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the vulnerability presents a significant risk for privilege escalation on affected Android devices. The lack of patch links suggests that fixes may still be pending or in development, emphasizing the need for vigilance. This vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious local applications or attackers who have gained limited access to the device to fully compromise user data and system integrity.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-48566 can be substantial. Android devices are widely used across enterprises for communication, mobile workforce operations, and access to corporate resources. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could escalate privileges locally, potentially gaining access to sensitive corporate data, bypassing security controls, or installing persistent malware. This could lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or disruption of business operations. The high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability means that critical systems relying on Android devices could be compromised, affecting compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations. Additionally, sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which often use Android devices for secure communications and mobile applications, could face increased risks. The absence of required user interaction lowers the barrier for exploitation, increasing the threat level. Organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies may face additional challenges in controlling vulnerable endpoints. Overall, the vulnerability threatens both individual user security and broader organizational resilience in Europe.

To mitigate CVE-2025-48566, European organizations should take several specific steps beyond generic advice: 1) Monitor official Google security bulletins closely and apply patches immediately once available, prioritizing devices running Android versions 13 to 16. 2) Implement strict application whitelisting and restrict installation of untrusted or unnecessary local applications that could exploit this vulnerability. 3) Enforce robust mobile device management (MDM) policies to control app permissions and isolate user profiles where possible. 4) Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments on Android endpoints to detect anomalous behavior indicative of privilege escalation attempts. 5) Educate users and IT staff about the risks of local privilege escalation and the importance of maintaining updated devices. 6) Where feasible, limit local access to devices by enforcing strong authentication and physical security controls. 7) Employ runtime application self-protection (RASP) or endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of identifying suspicious intent forwarding or inter-process communication anomalies. 8) Collaborate with vendors and security communities to share threat intelligence and best practices related to this vulnerability. These targeted measures will help reduce the attack surface and improve detection and response capabilities.