CVE-2026-0025 is a vulnerability in the Android operating system, specifically within the Notification.java component's hasImage method. The flaw is due to a permissions bypass that allows an attacker with local access to bypass user boundaries and reveal sensitive information across different user profiles on the device. This vulnerability does not require any additional execution privileges or user interaction, making it easier to exploit in local attack scenarios. The vulnerability affects Android versions 14, 15, 16, and 16-qpr2, which cover a broad range of currently supported Android releases. The issue is classified under CWE-200 (Information Exposure), indicating that sensitive data can be leaked unintentionally. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.4, reflecting high severity due to the combination of local attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. While no public exploits are known at this time, the vulnerability could be leveraged by malicious local applications or attackers with physical or logical access to the device to escalate privileges and access sensitive data belonging to other users on the same device. The lack of required user interaction increases the risk of silent exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of strict permission enforcement in multi-user environments on Android devices.

The primary impact of CVE-2026-0025 is unauthorized information disclosure across user boundaries on affected Android devices, which can lead to local privilege escalation. This compromises the confidentiality of sensitive user data and can also affect the integrity and availability of the system by enabling attackers to perform unauthorized actions with escalated privileges. Organizations relying on Android devices for sensitive communications or operations may face increased risk of data leakage and unauthorized access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for environments where multiple users share a single device or where attackers can gain local access, such as in corporate or government settings. The ease of exploitation without user interaction increases the likelihood of stealthy attacks. Although no known exploits exist currently, the potential for future exploitation could lead to widespread compromise of Android devices, affecting user privacy and organizational security.

1. Monitor official Google Android security bulletins and promptly apply patches or updates once they become available for affected Android versions (14, 15, 16, 16-qpr2). 2. Restrict local access to devices by enforcing strong physical security controls and limiting installation of untrusted applications, especially those requesting unnecessary permissions. 3. Employ mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, including application whitelisting and privilege restrictions. 4. Use Android’s multi-user and profile management features carefully, ensuring that user separation is maintained and that sensitive data is not accessible across profiles. 5. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments on Android devices within the organization to detect potential exploitation attempts. 6. Educate users about the risks of installing apps from untrusted sources and the importance of device security hygiene. 7. Consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) or endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions capable of detecting suspicious local privilege escalation behaviors on Android devices.