CVE-2025-48612 is a vulnerability identified in multiple locations within Google Android versions 13, 14, 15, and 16. The root cause is improper input validation that allows an application operating within a work profile to alter the main user's default NFC payment settings. Work profiles are commonly used in enterprise environments to separate personal and corporate data on the same device. This vulnerability enables a local escalation of privilege without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction, meaning an attacker with an app installed in the work profile can silently manipulate NFC payment configurations of the primary user profile. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation), indicating that the system fails to properly validate input data, leading to unauthorized actions. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high severity due to the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, ease of exploitation (local access with low complexity), and no need for user interaction. While no patches are currently linked, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to Android users, especially in corporate environments where work profiles are prevalent. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests it is either newly discovered or not yet weaponized, but the potential for misuse remains high.

The vulnerability allows a local attacker with an application in the work profile to escalate privileges and modify NFC payment settings of the main user without consent. This can lead to unauthorized financial transactions, exposure of sensitive payment data, and compromise of user trust in device security. The integrity of payment configurations is undermined, potentially enabling fraudulent payments or denial of legitimate transactions. Confidentiality is at risk as attackers may access or alter payment-related data. Availability could be impacted if payment services are disrupted. Organizations using Android devices with work profiles, especially those relying on NFC payments for business transactions, face increased risk of financial fraud and data breaches. The silent nature of the exploit (no user interaction required) increases the likelihood of undetected compromise, complicating incident response and forensic analysis.

Until official patches are released, organizations should implement strict application vetting and restrict installation of untrusted apps within work profiles. Employ Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to enforce policies that limit app permissions and monitor anomalous changes to payment settings. Disable NFC payment features in work profiles if not essential. Educate users about the risks of installing apps from unknown sources, even within work profiles. Once patches are available, prioritize immediate deployment across all affected Android versions. Conduct regular audits of device configurations and payment settings to detect unauthorized modifications. Consider isolating sensitive payment functions from work profiles or using dedicated devices for NFC payments to reduce attack surface. Monitor security advisories from Google for updates and exploit reports.