CVE-2025-48631 is a denial of service (DoS) vulnerability identified in the Android operating system, specifically affecting versions 13, 14, 15, and 16. The flaw exists in the onHeaderDecoded method within the LocalImageResolver.java component, where improper handling of image header decoding can lead to resource exhaustion. This exhaustion is persistent, meaning that repeated exploitation can continuously degrade system performance or cause the device to become unresponsive. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-400, which relates to uncontrolled resource consumption. An attacker can remotely trigger this DoS condition without requiring any user interaction or elevated privileges, making it easier to exploit. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium), with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring low privileges (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and impacting availability only (A:H). No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patches have been published at the time of analysis. The vulnerability could be leveraged to disrupt services on Android devices by exhausting memory or CPU resources during image header decoding, potentially causing crashes or reboots. This could affect any application or service relying on image processing via the vulnerable component, including messaging apps, browsers, or custom enterprise apps. The persistent nature of the DoS means that recovery may require manual intervention or device restart. Given the widespread use of Android devices globally, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to availability in environments where uptime is critical.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-48631 is on the availability of Android devices used within their operations. This includes mobile workforce devices, IoT endpoints running Android, and embedded systems relying on Android OS. A successful DoS attack could disrupt communication, data access, and operational continuity, especially in sectors like finance, healthcare, transportation, and critical infrastructure where Android devices are integral. Persistent resource exhaustion could lead to device crashes or reboots, causing downtime and potential loss of productivity. Since no elevated privileges or user interaction are required, attackers could remotely target vulnerable devices exposed to the internet or internal networks. This increases the risk of widespread disruption if exploited at scale. Additionally, organizations with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies may face increased exposure due to less controlled device environments. The lack of patches at present means organizations must rely on interim mitigations to reduce risk. Overall, the vulnerability could lead to operational interruptions, increased support costs, and potential reputational damage if service availability is impacted.

1. Network Segmentation: Limit exposure of Android devices to untrusted networks by implementing strict network segmentation and firewall rules to reduce attack surface. 2. Monitor Resource Usage: Deploy monitoring solutions to detect abnormal CPU, memory, or battery usage on Android devices that could indicate exploitation attempts. 3. Restrict Image Processing Inputs: Where possible, control or sanitize image inputs processed by applications using LocalImageResolver to prevent maliciously crafted images from triggering the vulnerability. 4. Device Hardening: Enforce security policies that restrict installation of untrusted applications and limit background processes that could be exploited. 5. Incident Response Preparation: Develop procedures for rapid response to DoS incidents, including remote device management capabilities to reboot or isolate affected devices. 6. Patch Management: Stay informed on official Google Android security bulletins and apply patches promptly once available. 7. User Awareness: Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited images or links, even though user interaction is not required, to reduce indirect exploitation vectors. 8. Vendor Coordination: For organizations using custom Android builds or OEM devices, coordinate with vendors to ensure timely updates and mitigations are applied.