CVE-2025-48599 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/08/2025
In multiple functions of WifiScanModeActivity.java, there is a possible way to bypass a device config restriction due to a missing permission 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-2025-48599 represents a critical security flaw within the WifiScanModeActivity.java component of a mobile operating system or application framework. This issue stems from insufficient permission validation mechanisms that allow unauthorized code execution within restricted system contexts. The flaw exists across multiple functions within the wireless scanning activity handler, creating a persistent vector for privilege escalation attacks that can be exploited without requiring user interaction or additional execution privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the absence of proper access control checks within the WifiScanModeActivity.java file. When various functions within this activity are invoked, they fail to validate whether the calling process possesses the necessary authorization levels to perform specific operations. This missing permission verification creates a pathway for malicious code to execute with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing the device configuration restrictions that should normally prevent such behavior. The flaw operates at the system level where wireless scanning functionalities are managed, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect core network management capabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to device security and user privacy. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to system resources that should remain protected, potentially enabling them to monitor network traffic, modify wireless configurations, or access sensitive data stored within the device's network subsystem. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be exploited automatically without any user awareness or consent. This type of local privilege escalation can lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control issues in software systems, specifically targeting insufficient permission checks that allow unauthorized access to protected resources. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this flaw maps to privilege escalation techniques where adversaries can move laterally within a system by exploiting missing access controls. The absence of additional execution privileges required for exploitation places this vulnerability in a particularly dangerous category as it requires minimal attack surface for successful exploitation. Security professionals should consider this issue as a high-priority remediation target due to its potential for widespread impact across affected devices and applications.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive permission validation checks within all functions of the WifiScanModeActivity.java component. System administrators and developers should ensure that proper access control mechanisms are enforced before allowing any wireless scanning operations to proceed. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar permission gaps within other system components. Additionally, applying the latest security patches and updates from vendors should be prioritized to address this vulnerability before it can be exploited in the wild. The implementation of principle of least privilege concepts should be enforced throughout the wireless management subsystem to minimize the potential impact of such flaws.