CVE-2025-48596 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/08/2025
In appendFrom of Parcel.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. 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-2025-48596 resides within the appendFrom function of Parcel.cpp, a critical component in Android's inter-process communication system. This flaw represents a classic out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the system fails to validate array indices before accessing memory locations. The missing bounds check creates a scenario where malicious code can traverse beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially accessing sensitive data or system resources that should remain protected. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited without requiring any special user interaction or elevated privileges beyond what is normally available to an application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the Android parceling mechanism, which is responsible for serializing and deserializing data between different processes. When the appendFrom function processes data streams, it does not adequately verify that the source data indices fall within acceptable ranges before performing memory operations. This allows attackers to craft specially crafted data packets that trigger the out-of-bounds read condition. The flaw is categorized under CWE-129 as an insufficient bounds checking vulnerability, which directly maps to the fundamental security principle of validating all inputs before processing them. The absence of proper bounds verification creates a pathway for memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-48596 extends beyond typical application-level vulnerabilities due to its potential for local privilege escalation. Since no additional execution privileges are required for exploitation and user interaction is not necessary, this vulnerability can be exploited by any application running on the device. The attack surface is particularly broad as it affects core Android system components that handle inter-process communication, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to gain unauthorized access to system resources. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and demonstrates how memory corruption flaws can be weaponized to achieve system-level access. The local escalation of privilege capability means that an attacker could potentially gain root access to the device, enabling complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-48596 should focus on implementing comprehensive bounds checking mechanisms throughout the Android parceling subsystem. System administrators and developers should prioritize applying the latest security patches from Google that address this specific vulnerability in the Android framework. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can help prevent exploitation attempts. The Android security model should enforce strict input validation for all inter-process communication data, ensuring that any data passed through the appendFrom function undergoes rigorous bounds checking before memory operations occur. Organizations should also consider implementing application sandboxing measures and monitoring for anomalous data access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of system components and adherence to secure coding practices, particularly around memory management and input validation, are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases.