CVE-2025-48588 is a vulnerability identified in the Android operating system, specifically affecting versions 13, 14, and 15. The flaw resides in the startAlwaysOnVpn method of the Vpn.java component, where a logic error allows an attacker with local access to disable the always-on VPN feature. Always-on VPN is a security mechanism designed to ensure that all network traffic is routed through a VPN tunnel, preventing data leakage and enforcing organizational security policies. The vulnerability enables a local attacker with limited privileges (PR:L) to bypass this protection without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction (UI:N). This means an attacker who has gained some form of local access—such as through a compromised app or physical access—can escalate their privileges by disabling the VPN, potentially intercepting or manipulating network traffic. The CVSS vector (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) indicates that the attack requires local access and low complexity, but results in high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no public exploits are known yet, the vulnerability's characteristics make it a critical concern for environments relying on Android's VPN enforcement for secure communications. The flaw could be exploited to bypass network security controls, leading to data exfiltration, man-in-the-middle attacks, or disruption of services on affected devices.

For European organizations, this vulnerability threatens the security of mobile endpoints that enforce always-on VPN policies, commonly used to protect sensitive corporate data and comply with data protection regulations like GDPR. Disabling the always-on VPN could expose internal communications to interception or manipulation, undermining confidentiality and integrity. This is particularly critical for sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure, where secure remote access is mandatory. The ability to escalate privileges locally without user interaction increases the risk of stealthy attacks that can persist undetected. Additionally, the disruption of VPN services impacts availability, potentially interrupting business operations reliant on secure network connectivity. The vulnerability also raises compliance risks, as failure to maintain secure communications could lead to regulatory penalties. Organizations with BYOD policies or widespread Android device usage are especially vulnerable, as attackers could leverage this flaw to compromise corporate networks through mobile devices.

Organizations should prioritize deploying official patches from Google as soon as they become available to address this vulnerability. Until patches are released, enforcing strict local device access controls is critical—this includes strong authentication mechanisms, device encryption, and limiting physical access to devices. Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions should be configured to monitor VPN status and alert on any unauthorized changes or VPN disconnections. Employing endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of detecting privilege escalation attempts on Android devices can help identify exploitation attempts early. Additionally, organizations should educate users about the risks of installing untrusted applications or granting excessive permissions, which could facilitate local access by attackers. Network-level protections, such as anomaly detection for unusual traffic patterns, can help mitigate risks if VPN is disabled. Finally, reviewing and tightening always-on VPN configurations and fallback behaviors can reduce the attack surface.