CVE-2025-48546 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2025
In checkPermissions of SafeActivityOptions.java, there is a possible background activity launch 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 • 09/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-48546 resides within the SafeActivityOptions.java file where a logic error in the checkPermissions method creates a pathway for unauthorized background activity launches. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows for local privilege escalation without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where such permissions are typically restricted. The vulnerability specifically targets the permission checking mechanism that should prevent background activities from being launched without proper authorization, yet the flawed implementation allows bypass of these security controls through a simple logical flaw in the code structure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and more specifically with CWE-787, concerning out-of-bounds write operations that can occur when permission validation logic fails. The flaw manifests as a logic error in the permission validation routine where the checkPermissions method does not properly validate or enforce the necessary security constraints that should prevent unauthorized background activity execution. This type of vulnerability operates at the system level where proper access controls should prevent one application or process from launching activities in the background without explicit permission, yet the flawed implementation allows for such unauthorized operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by malicious applications or processes running with minimal privileges. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute background activities that would normally require elevated permissions, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system monitoring, or further exploitation of other system components. The lack of user interaction requirement makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited automatically without any human involvement, enabling malware or malicious actors to establish persistent access or perform unauthorized operations silently in the background.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-48546 should focus on immediate code-level fixes that correct the logic error in the checkPermissions method within SafeActivityOptions.java. Security professionals should implement proper input validation and access control checks that ensure background activity launches are properly authenticated and authorized before execution. The fix should involve strengthening the permission validation logic to properly enforce security boundaries and prevent unauthorized background activity execution. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive code reviews focusing on permission handling mechanisms and implement runtime monitoring to detect suspicious background activity launches that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and the potential consequences when such controls fail due to logical errors in security-sensitive code components.