CVE-2025-48556 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2025
In multiple methods of NotificationChannel.java, there is a possible desynchronization from persistence due to improper input validation. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-48556 resides within the NotificationChannel.java file where multiple methods exhibit improper input validation mechanisms that create a potential desynchronization between in-memory state and persistent storage. This desynchronization occurs when the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input data before persisting it to storage mechanisms, leading to a scenario where the stored data does not accurately reflect the intended state of the notification channel configuration. The flaw specifically affects the persistence layer of notification channel management within the Android framework, creating a condition where inconsistent data states can be written to and read from storage.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user-provided parameters during notification channel operations. When notification channel configurations are modified through various methods within the NotificationChannel.java class, the input validation checks fail to properly sanitize or verify the integrity of the data being processed. This allows malicious or malformed input to be accepted and subsequently persisted to storage without proper validation, creating a persistent state that diverges from the expected operational parameters. The vulnerability manifests as a failure in maintaining data consistency between the application's runtime memory state and the persistent storage layer, where the stored configuration may contain invalid or unexpected values that were not properly validated during the input processing phase.
The operational impact of this vulnerability enables local privilege escalation without requiring additional execution privileges, representing a significant security risk within the Android operating system framework. An attacker with local access can exploit this vulnerability by crafting specific input parameters that will be persisted to storage, potentially allowing them to modify notification channel configurations in ways that could lead to unauthorized access or privilege elevation. The requirement for user interaction indicates that exploitation typically occurs through legitimate user operations such as modifying notification settings, but the underlying flaw allows malicious data to be stored and subsequently processed in a manner that could bypass normal security controls. This represents a classic case of a privilege escalation vulnerability where the attacker leverages the system's own persistence mechanisms against itself.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses improper input validation leading to memory corruption or data inconsistency issues, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of legitimate credentials or system privileges to gain unauthorized access. The flaw essentially creates a condition where the system's own storage mechanisms become a vector for privilege escalation, as the persisted data can be manipulated to alter the behavior of notification channel processing. Security controls that rely on consistent data states for proper access control or privilege management may be compromised when the underlying storage contains inconsistent or manipulated values. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-20, which covers improper input validation, and represents a failure in the input sanitization and validation process that should occur before any data is committed to persistent storage. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation controls, regular data integrity checks, and proper access controls to prevent exploitation of this class of vulnerability that could potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges within the Android environment.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-48556 should focus on strengthening input validation mechanisms within the NotificationChannel.java methods, implementing proper data sanitization before persistence operations, and ensuring that all input parameters are thoroughly validated against expected formats and ranges. System administrators should monitor for unusual notification channel modifications and implement logging controls to detect potential exploitation attempts. The Android security team should consider implementing additional integrity checks for notification channel data and ensuring that all persistence operations include proper validation and sanitization steps. Regular security updates and patch management procedures should be enforced to address this vulnerability promptly, as it represents a potential pathway for local privilege escalation that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain elevated system privileges.