CVE-2025-48633 is a vulnerability identified in Google Android versions 13 through 16, located in the DevicePolicyManagerService.java file within the hasAccountsOnAnyUser method. The flaw is a logic error that permits an attacker with local access and limited privileges to add a Device Owner after the device provisioning process has completed. Device Owner status grants elevated control over device management policies, which can be leveraged for privilege escalation. Notably, exploitation does not require additional execution privileges or user interaction, making it a stealthy local attack vector. The vulnerability primarily affects the confidentiality of device management controls, as unauthorized elevation could expose sensitive device configurations or data. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.5 (medium severity), reflecting the local attack vector (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), and the requirement for privileges (PR:L) but no user interaction (UI:N). There are no known exploits in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability could be exploited by malicious local users or malware with limited privileges to gain Device Owner rights, potentially undermining enterprise mobile device security.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk to the security of managed Android devices, especially those enrolled in enterprise mobility management (EMM) or device management solutions relying on Device Owner privileges. Unauthorized elevation to Device Owner could allow attackers to bypass security policies, access sensitive corporate data, or install persistent malware. This could lead to data breaches, loss of confidentiality, and potential regulatory compliance issues under GDPR. The impact is particularly significant for sectors with high mobile device usage such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies. Since exploitation requires local access, the threat is more relevant in scenarios where devices may be physically accessible to attackers or compromised by local malware. The lack of user interaction requirement increases the risk of silent exploitation. However, the absence of known exploits and the medium severity score suggest that immediate widespread impact is limited but warrants proactive mitigation.

European organizations should implement strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized local access to Android devices. Employ device encryption and strong authentication mechanisms to reduce the risk of privilege escalation. Monitor device management logs for unexpected changes in Device Owner status or provisioning states. Restrict installation of untrusted applications that could leverage this vulnerability to gain local privileges. Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions that can detect and remediate anomalous device owner changes. Stay informed about official patches or security updates from Google and apply them promptly once available. Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools capable of identifying suspicious local privilege escalation attempts. Additionally, conduct regular security audits of managed devices and educate users about the risks of physical device compromise.