CVE-2025-26444 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2025
In onHandleForceStop of VoiceInteractionManagerService.java, there is a bug that could cause the system to incorrectly revert to the default assistant application when a user-selected assistant is forcibly stopped due to a logic error in the code. This could lead to local escalation of privilege where the default assistant app is automatically granted ROLE_ASSISTANT 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-2025-26444 resides within the VoiceInteractionManagerService.java component of Android systems, specifically in the onHandleForceStop method where a critical logic flaw exists. This flaw represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a significant security weakness in the system's assistant application management mechanism. The vulnerability operates at the system level where the Android framework handles voice interaction services and assistant application lifecycle management, making it particularly dangerous as it affects core operating system functionality. The issue stems from improper state management when a user-selected assistant application is forcibly terminated, creating a condition where the system automatically reverts to a default assistant application without proper validation or authorization checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flawed conditional logic path that fails to properly maintain the user's assistant preference when force stopping occurs. When an application is forcibly stopped, the system should preserve the user's selected assistant configuration and maintain appropriate security contexts. However, due to the logic error in onHandleForceStop, the system incorrectly assumes that the default assistant should be activated regardless of the user's explicit selection. This flaw creates an automatic privilege escalation scenario where the default assistant application is granted ROLE_ASSISTANT without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 as an Improper Access Control issue, specifically involving inadequate privilege management during application lifecycle events. The flaw essentially bypasses the normal security boundaries that should prevent unauthorized applications from assuming privileged roles within the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the Android security model. When an application assumes ROLE_ASSISTANT, it gains access to sensitive voice interaction APIs and can potentially intercept or manipulate voice commands and responses. This privilege level allows the application to access personal data through voice interactions, potentially enabling data exfiltration or manipulation of voice-activated system functions. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to maintain persistent access to voice interaction services, as the default assistant application would automatically regain privileged status whenever the user-selected assistant is terminated. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the Android security model by undermining the user's ability to control which applications can assume privileged roles in voice interaction services. This represents a significant threat to user privacy and system security, as the default assistant application may not have the same security posture or user consent as a specifically selected assistant application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate code-level fixes that address the specific logic error in the onHandleForceStop method. The fix must ensure that user preferences are properly preserved during force stop operations and that privilege escalation does not occur automatically. System administrators and device manufacturers should implement immediate patches that validate the assistant application context before granting ROLE_ASSISTANT privileges. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper state management in security-critical components and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of application lifecycle events. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized privilege changes in assistant application roles, as this vulnerability could be exploited to maintain persistent access to voice interaction services. Additionally, the fix should include proper logging of assistant application state changes to enable forensic analysis and detection of potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability underscores the critical need for robust security testing of system-level components and proper adherence to security best practices in Android framework development. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of system services and application roles to gain elevated privileges without user interaction, making it a significant concern for Android security hardening efforts.