CVE-2025-48566 is a local elevation of privilege vulnerability affecting Google Android versions 13, 14, 15, and 16. The root cause is improper input validation in multiple locations within the Android framework that handle forwarded intents. Intents in Android are messaging objects used to request actions from other app components or system services. This vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass user profile boundaries by crafting a malicious forwarded intent that the system improperly trusts or processes. As a result, an attacker with local access can escalate their privileges beyond their assigned user profile without needing additional execution privileges or user interaction. This means that a malicious app or user on the device could gain unauthorized access to other user profiles or sensitive system functions, potentially leading to data leakage or unauthorized system modifications. The vulnerability does not require remote access or network connectivity, limiting the attack vector to local access scenarios. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and no exploits have been reported in the wild. However, the vulnerability's nature suggests it could be leveraged in targeted attacks or by malware to increase persistence and access on compromised devices. The lack of user interaction requirement and the ability to bypass user profile boundaries make this a significant security concern for multi-user Android environments, including corporate devices with multiple profiles or work profiles. The vulnerability was reserved in May 2025 and published in December 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. Currently, no official patches or mitigation instructions have been published, but it is expected that Google will release security updates addressing this issue in upcoming Android security bulletins.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-48566 can be substantial, especially in environments where Android devices are widely used for business operations, including BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies and corporate-owned devices with multiple user profiles. The vulnerability enables local attackers or malicious applications to escalate privileges without user interaction, potentially accessing sensitive corporate data stored in separate user profiles or work profiles. This can lead to unauthorized data access, leakage of confidential information, and compromise of device integrity. In sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, where data confidentiality and integrity are paramount, this vulnerability could facilitate insider threats or lateral movement within mobile device ecosystems. Additionally, the ability to bypass user profile boundaries undermines Android's security model that isolates user data and applications, increasing the risk of privilege abuse and persistent malware infections. Although no remote exploitation is possible, the risk remains high in scenarios where devices are shared, lost, or physically accessed by unauthorized personnel. The absence of user interaction requirement further increases the threat as exploitation can occur silently. Organizations relying on Android devices for secure communications, mobile workforce management, or sensitive applications should consider this vulnerability a critical risk to their mobile security posture.

1. Monitor official Google Android security bulletins and promptly apply security patches once they become available for affected Android versions (13-16). 2. Enforce strict application vetting and limit installation of apps from untrusted sources to reduce the risk of malicious apps exploiting this vulnerability. 3. Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions that enforce user profile isolation policies and restrict inter-profile communication where possible. 4. Restrict physical access to corporate Android devices and educate users on the risks of device sharing and unauthorized access. 5. Use Android’s built-in security features such as Work Profiles and managed configurations to segregate corporate data and limit privilege escalation opportunities. 6. Monitor device logs and behavior for unusual activity indicative of privilege escalation attempts or unauthorized profile access. 7. Consider disabling or restricting intent forwarding features if feasible within organizational use cases until patches are applied. 8. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on mobile device privilege boundaries to detect potential exploitation attempts. 9. Encourage users to keep devices updated and report suspicious app behavior promptly. 10. Collaborate with security vendors to deploy endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting local privilege escalation exploits on Android devices.