CVE-2025-9098 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Elseplus File Recovery App version 4.4.21 on the Android platform. The root cause lies in the improper export of Android application components due to misconfiguration in the AndroidManifest.xml file. Specifically, certain components that should remain internal to the app are erroneously marked as exported, allowing local attackers to interact with these components directly. This misconfiguration can lead to unauthorized access or manipulation of the app's internal functionality. The attack vector requires local access to the device, meaning the attacker must have physical or local control over the Android device to exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability does not require user interaction or elevated privileges beyond local access, and the exploit has been publicly disclosed, although no known exploits are currently observed in the wild. The vendor has been notified but has not responded or issued a patch. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 4.8, reflecting a medium severity level, with low attack complexity and no user interaction required. The improper export of components can potentially lead to leakage of sensitive data, unauthorized operations within the app, or escalation of local privileges depending on the app's internal logic and data handling. Given that the vulnerability affects a file recovery app, which typically handles sensitive user data, the risk of confidentiality breach is notable. However, the requirement for local access limits the attack scope primarily to scenarios where the device is physically compromised or accessed by malicious insiders or malware with local execution capabilities.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-9098 depends largely on the deployment of Elseplus File Recovery App within their environments. Organizations that allow or mandate the use of this app on employee Android devices, especially in sectors handling sensitive or regulated data (e.g., finance, healthcare, government), face risks of data leakage or unauthorized data recovery operations. The vulnerability could be exploited by malicious insiders or attackers who gain local access to devices, potentially leading to exposure of confidential files or manipulation of recovery operations. This could undermine data integrity and confidentiality, impacting compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations. Additionally, if devices are lost or stolen, attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information without needing to bypass other security controls. The lack of vendor response and patch availability increases the window of exposure, necessitating proactive mitigation. However, the medium severity and local attack vector limit the likelihood of widespread remote exploitation, reducing the risk of large-scale incidents but emphasizing the importance of endpoint security and device control within organizations.

1. Immediate mitigation should focus on restricting physical and local access to Android devices running Elseplus File Recovery App, including enforcing strong device lock mechanisms and endpoint security policies. 2. Organizations should audit their mobile device management (MDM) systems to identify devices with the vulnerable app version installed and consider uninstalling or replacing the app with alternatives that do not exhibit this vulnerability. 3. Employ application whitelisting and restrict installation of unapproved apps to prevent deployment of vulnerable versions. 4. Monitor devices for unusual local activity that could indicate exploitation attempts, such as unexpected inter-process communications or unauthorized access to app components. 5. Encourage users to avoid installing apps from untrusted sources and educate them about the risks of local exploitation. 6. Since the vendor has not issued a patch, organizations should consider isolating or sandboxing devices with the vulnerable app to limit potential damage. 7. Stay alert for any future patches or advisories from Elseplus and plan for prompt application of updates once available. 8. Implement comprehensive device encryption and secure boot mechanisms to reduce the risk of local attacks.