CVE-2025-48607 is a vulnerability identified in Google Android versions 15 and 16 that allows a local attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition by exploiting a logic error in the handling of app operations (app ops). The flaw enables the creation of an excessive number of app ops, which are internal Android constructs used to manage permissions and operations for apps. This excessive creation leads to resource exhaustion, potentially causing the system or affected services to become unresponsive or crash, thereby denying legitimate users access to device functionality. The vulnerability does not require any user interaction for exploitation, but it does require the attacker to have local privileges on the device, such as a malicious app or a compromised user account. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.5, reflecting a medium severity level, with the vector indicating local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), low privileges required (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), no impact on confidentiality or integrity (C:N/I:N), but high impact on availability (A:H). There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no patches have been linked yet, indicating that remediation may still be pending. The vulnerability could affect any Android device running the specified versions, including smartphones, tablets, and embedded Android systems. The root cause is a logic error in the code managing app ops, which could be addressed by limiting the creation rate or implementing proper cleanup mechanisms to prevent resource exhaustion.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the availability of Android-based devices and services. Organizations relying on Android devices for critical business operations, mobile workforce management, or embedded systems could experience service disruptions if exploited. The denial of service could lead to operational downtime, reduced productivity, and potential loss of access to essential applications. While the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, the availability impact could indirectly affect business continuity and user trust. Sectors with high dependency on mobile technology, such as finance, healthcare, and public services, may face heightened risks. Additionally, the requirement for local privileges means that the threat is more significant in environments where device access controls are weak or where malicious insiders or compromised apps are possible. The absence of user interaction for exploitation increases the risk of automated or stealthy attacks once local access is obtained.

To mitigate CVE-2025-48607, organizations should prioritize the following actions: 1) Monitor and restrict local privilege escalation paths on Android devices to prevent unauthorized local access. 2) Implement strict app vetting and control policies to avoid installation of malicious or untrusted applications that could exploit the vulnerability. 3) Once available, promptly apply official security patches from Google or device manufacturers addressing this vulnerability. 4) Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, monitor app ops usage, and detect abnormal behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 5) Educate users about the risks of installing untrusted apps and the importance of device security hygiene. 6) For critical environments, consider network segmentation and limiting device access to sensitive systems to reduce the impact of potential denial of service. 7) Engage in proactive vulnerability scanning and penetration testing focused on local privilege escalation and resource exhaustion scenarios on Android devices.