CVE-2025-48544 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2025
In multiple locations, there is a possible way to read files belonging to other apps due to SQL injection. 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 • 03/02/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw that enables unauthorized file access across application boundaries within a system. The vulnerability exists in multiple locations, indicating a systemic architectural weakness rather than a isolated incident. The flaw allows an attacker to manipulate SQL queries in such a way that they can read files that belong to other applications, effectively bypassing traditional application isolation mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a severe weakness in software security. The exploitation requires no user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered automatically without any human intervention.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the database query construction process. When applications fail to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL statements, malicious actors can inject additional SQL commands that alter the intended query behavior. In this case, the injection allows for file system access through database interfaces, which typically should be isolated from direct file system operations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it enables local privilege escalation without requiring any additional execution privileges, meaning an attacker can leverage this weakness to gain higher system privileges directly from the current access level.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe and far-reaching for system security. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw can potentially access sensitive data belonging to other applications, including configuration files, database credentials, and application-specific information that may contain proprietary data or authentication tokens. This cross-application file access capability undermines the fundamental security principle of application sandboxing and isolation. The local privilege escalation aspect means that even if an attacker initially gains access through a low-privilege account or service, they can use this vulnerability to elevate their privileges to system-level access. This capability significantly amplifies the potential damage and makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to target systems.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the attack framework, particularly those involving privilege escalation and lateral movement within compromised systems. The absence of user interaction requirements places this vulnerability in the category of fully automated attacks that can be executed through reconnaissance or automated scanning tools. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability when assessing risk in environments where multiple applications share database resources or where database interfaces provide file system access capabilities. Mitigation strategies should include comprehensive input validation, proper parameterization of all database queries, implementation of least privilege access controls, and regular security auditing of database interfaces. Organizations should also implement database activity monitoring to detect anomalous query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks to prevent such critical flaws from being introduced into software systems.