CVE-2025-48589 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/08/2025
In multiple functions of HeaderPrivacyIconsController.kt, there is a possible way to grand permissions across user 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 • 12/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-48589 resides within the HeaderPrivacyIconsController.kt file where multiple functions contain a logic error that permits unauthorized privilege escalation. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows attackers to gain elevated permissions across different user accounts without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms implemented within the application's privacy icon handling functionality.
The technical flaw manifests as a logic error in the permission validation process where the system fails to properly verify user credentials or session tokens when processing header privacy icon requests. This oversight creates a path where an attacker can manipulate the application's logic flow to bypass normal authorization checks and assume the privileges of other users. The vulnerability specifically affects functions within the HeaderPrivacyIconsController.kt class, suggesting that the issue is not isolated to a single method but rather represents a systemic problem in how the controller manages access to privacy-related features.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables local privilege escalation without any user interaction requirements, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users share the same system or application instance. Attackers can exploit this weakness to access sensitive data, modify user permissions, or perform actions that should be restricted to specific user roles. The lack of user interaction requirements means the vulnerability can be exploited automatically, potentially allowing for rapid propagation across multiple user accounts or system components. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control issues, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1068 for local privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and access control checks within the HeaderPrivacyIconsController.kt file. Developers must ensure that all functions properly validate user authentication tokens and session information before granting access to privacy-related features. The fix should include comprehensive permission verification mechanisms that prevent unauthorized privilege escalation and maintain proper isolation between user accounts. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring of access attempts can help detect exploitation attempts and provide forensic evidence for security investigations. Regular security code reviews should be conducted to identify similar logic errors in other application components, particularly those handling user permissions and access control.