CVE-2025-26435 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2025
In updateState of ContentProtectionTogglePreferenceController.java, there is a possible way for a secondary user to disable the primary user's deceptive app scanning setting due to a logic error in the code. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-26435 resides within the ContentProtectionTogglePreferenceController.java component of an Android system, specifically within the updateState method where a critical logic flaw exists. This flaw allows a secondary user account to manipulate the deceptive app scanning settings of the primary user account, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited without requiring any user interaction or additional privileges beyond those already granted to the secondary user. The issue stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate user permissions when modifying system security settings, effectively breaking the principle of least privilege that is fundamental to secure system design.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through improper validation of user context during the state update process of content protection preferences. When a secondary user account attempts to modify the content protection settings, the code fails to properly distinguish between different user contexts and their respective permission levels. This logical error creates an exploitable condition where the secondary user can override or disable security configurations that should be restricted to the primary user account. The flaw operates at the system level within the Android framework's preference management system, making it particularly dangerous as it affects core security controls that protect against malicious applications and unauthorized access attempts.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables a local escalation of privilege scenario that can have severe consequences for system security. The secondary user can effectively bypass security measures that are designed to protect the primary user's device from potentially harmful applications, potentially allowing malicious actors to disable security features that would otherwise detect and prevent deceptive or malicious software from running on the device. This creates a persistent threat vector where the compromised primary user's security posture is weakened without any visible user action or awareness, making the attack particularly insidious and difficult to detect through traditional monitoring approaches. The vulnerability impacts the Android operating system's security model by allowing cross-user privilege escalation that should not be possible under normal secure system operation.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local privilege escalation opportunities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including ensuring proper user account segregation, reviewing access control policies, and applying security patches as soon as they become available. The recommended approach involves strengthening the validation mechanisms within the updateState method to properly enforce user context boundaries and implement proper access control checks before allowing any modification of system security settings. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual changes to security settings across different user accounts, as this vulnerability could be used to silently weaken device security without generating obvious alerts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in mobile operating systems where multiple user contexts exist and security boundaries must be strictly enforced to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation.