CVE-2025-48559 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2025
In multiple functions of AppOpsService.java, there is a possible add a large amount of app ops due to improper input validation. This could lead to local denial of service 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-2025-48559 resides within the AppOpsService.java component of Android operating systems, representing a critical security flaw that enables unauthorized denial of service attacks through improper input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically affects multiple functions within the application operations service that manages permissions and operational tracking for applications on Android devices. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of input parameters that control the addition of application operations, allowing malicious actors to potentially overwhelm the system with excessive app ops entries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of inadequate data validation where the AppOpsService.java file fails to properly sanitize or limit the number of application operations that can be registered or added to the system. When applications attempt to register or modify operational parameters through the affected functions, the system does not enforce reasonable limits or validate the input data, creating an opportunity for exploitation. This weakness directly maps to CWE-129 Input Validation and Output Encoding, specifically targeting improper validation of input boundaries and excessive resource consumption through malformed inputs.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-48559 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it enables local denial of service conditions that can severely impact device functionality and user experience. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability without requiring any additional execution privileges, meaning that any application with basic access rights can potentially trigger the condition. The absence of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited automatically without user awareness or consent. Once triggered, the excessive accumulation of application operations can lead to system resource exhaustion, memory corruption, or complete service unavailability that affects core Android functionality.
From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service and T1072 Application Deployment and Execution, as it enables attackers to disrupt normal application operations and system services through manipulation of the application operations framework. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway follows the pattern of resource exhaustion attacks where attackers leverage the lack of input validation to consume system resources beyond normal operational limits. This type of attack can be particularly effective in environments where Android devices operate with limited memory resources or where system stability is critical for device functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-48559 should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms within the AppOpsService.java file and establishing reasonable limits on the number of operations that can be registered or modified through affected functions. System administrators and device manufacturers should prioritize applying security patches and updates that address the improper input validation issues in the application operations service. Additional protective measures include implementing monitoring systems that can detect unusual patterns of app operations registration and establishing automated alerts for potential resource exhaustion conditions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper resource management and input sanitization in security-critical system components, emphasizing the need for comprehensive testing and validation of all input handling mechanisms within Android's permission and operational management systems.