CVE-2025-22417 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/03/2025
In finishTransition of Transition.java, there is a possible way to bypass touch filtering restrictions due to a tapjacking/overlay attack. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-22417 resides within the finishTransition method of Transition.java, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of touch input filtering mechanisms. This issue manifests as a potential bypass of touch filtering restrictions, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit tapjacking or overlay attack vectors. The vulnerability operates at a fundamental level within the system's touch interaction handling, where legitimate user interactions can be subverted by malicious overlays or manipulated touch events. The flaw specifically targets the transition handling mechanism, suggesting that when the system processes user interactions during transitions, it fails to properly validate or filter touch inputs that may originate from unauthorized sources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of touch events during transition phases, allowing an attacker to present malicious overlays that can intercept or manipulate user touch inputs. This represents a classic overlay attack scenario where a malicious application or component can position itself above legitimate user interfaces, capturing touch events intended for the underlying applications. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation issue indicates that once exploited, the attacker can gain elevated privileges without requiring additional execution privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users have administrative access. The requirement for user interaction means that exploitation cannot occur automatically but must be initiated through some form of social engineering or user deception.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-22417 extends beyond simple data theft or unauthorized access, as it enables a complete compromise of user sessions and potentially system-level privileges. When an attacker successfully bypasses touch filtering restrictions, they can manipulate the user interface to perform actions that would normally be restricted, such as executing administrative commands, accessing sensitive data, or modifying system configurations. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized actions to be performed through legitimate user interaction pathways. The tapjacking aspect of this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can be used to harvest credentials, perform unauthorized transactions, or gain access to protected system resources. The vulnerability's presence in the transition handling code suggests that it affects critical user interface operations, potentially compromising the security of all applications that rely on proper touch input validation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on strengthening touch input validation mechanisms and implementing robust overlay protection measures. System administrators should ensure that all applications properly validate touch events and implement proper input sanitization during transition phases. The implementation of secure transition handling mechanisms that prevent malicious overlays from intercepting user input represents the primary defense against this attack vector. Additionally, operating system vendors should consider implementing enhanced overlay detection and prevention capabilities, particularly in environments where multiple applications may be running simultaneously. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-691, which addresses insufficient input validation and improper input filtering in security-critical contexts, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1056.001 for input injection attacks through touch interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring to detect anomalous overlay activities and user interaction patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be prioritized to address this vulnerability in affected systems, as the local privilege escalation aspect makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may have elevated privileges.