CVE-2025-36901 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2025
WLAN in Android before 2025-09-05 on Google Pixel devices allows elevation of privilege, aka A-396462223.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-36901 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw affecting Android systems prior to the 2025-09-05 security update, specifically impacting Google Pixel devices. This issue stems from weaknesses in the wireless local area network implementation within the Android operating system, creating a pathway for malicious actors to gain elevated system privileges. The vulnerability is classified as an elevation of privilege vulnerability, meaning that an attacker with limited access could potentially escalate their privileges to gain full system control. The flaw affects the WLAN subsystem and demonstrates a significant security gap in the Android platform's privilege management mechanisms. According to the Android security bulletin, this vulnerability specifically impacts devices running Android versions before the mentioned patch date, with Google Pixel devices being particularly susceptible due to their specific implementation of wireless networking components. The vulnerability has been assigned the identifier A-396462223, indicating its classification within Google's internal tracking system for security issues.
The technical root cause of this privilege escalation vulnerability lies in improper access controls and privilege validation mechanisms within the Android WLAN service implementation. Attackers can exploit this weakness to manipulate the network subsystem and potentially execute code with elevated privileges. The flaw likely involves insufficient input validation or improper privilege checks when processing wireless network requests or configurations. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when the system fails to properly verify the identity or authorization level of processes attempting to access privileged network functions. The vulnerability may be related to improper handling of inter-process communications or insufficient sandboxing of network-related components. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a significant concern as it allows attackers to bypass normal security boundaries and gain access to system-level resources that should be restricted to authorized processes only.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-36901 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, potentially enabling full system compromise of affected Pixel devices. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain complete control over the device, including access to sensitive user data, ability to install malicious applications, modify system configurations, and potentially exfiltrate information. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that this vulnerability affects the core wireless networking functionality that users rely on daily for connectivity. Devices that are continuously connected to wireless networks become vulnerable to exploitation, and the attack could potentially be executed remotely without requiring physical access to the device. This vulnerability also poses risks to enterprise environments where employees use Pixel devices for work purposes, potentially enabling attackers to access corporate networks and sensitive business information. The impact is further amplified by the fact that the vulnerability affects the Android framework itself, making it difficult to patch without device-level updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-36901 should prioritize immediate deployment of the security patches released by Google and device manufacturers. Organizations should implement comprehensive device management policies that enforce automatic security updates and monitor for compliance with security requirements. Network administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation and monitoring for unusual wireless network activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues in software systems, and may also relate to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through system vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous network behavior or unauthorized access attempts. Device users should be educated about the importance of keeping their systems updated and should be advised to avoid connecting to untrusted wireless networks until patches are deployed. The remediation process should include verification that the patch has been successfully applied and that no residual vulnerabilities remain in the system's wireless networking components.