CVE-2025-48614 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 12/08/2025
In rebootWipeUserData of RecoverySystem.java, there is a possible way to factory reset the device while in DSU mode due to a missing permission check. This could lead to physical 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 • 12/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-48614 resides within the RecoverySystem.java component of Android operating systems, specifically in the rebootWipeUserData method. This flaw represents a critical security oversight that allows unauthorized factory reset operations even when a device is operating in DSU (Device Secure Update) mode. The DSU mode is designed to provide a secure environment for device updates and maintenance operations, typically requiring elevated privileges and strict permission controls to prevent malicious interference. However, this vulnerability creates an exploitable path that bypasses these security mechanisms through a missing permission check.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access control validation within the recovery system implementation. When the rebootWipeUserData method executes, it fails to verify whether the calling process possesses the appropriate authorization level required to perform a factory reset operation. This missing permission verification creates a privilege escalation path that could be exploited by any process running on the device, regardless of its intended security context. The flaw operates at the system level where recovery operations should be strictly controlled and require explicit authorization, making it particularly dangerous as it undermines fundamental security boundaries.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk of physical denial of service attacks that can be executed without any user interaction or additional privileges. The absence of user interaction requirements means that malicious actors could potentially trigger device factory resets remotely or through automated processes, effectively rendering devices unusable and causing complete service disruption. This type of attack directly impacts device availability and can be particularly devastating in enterprise environments or critical infrastructure deployments where device uptime is essential. The vulnerability affects the core recovery functionality that should only be accessible through authenticated and authorized channels, creating a fundamental breach in the device's security architecture.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with several cybersecurity frameworks and threat modeling approaches, particularly those addressing privilege escalation and denial of service attacks. From a CWE perspective, this vulnerability relates to CWE-284: Improper Access Control, which specifically addresses insufficient access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to system resources. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this under T1490: Inhibit System Recovery, where adversaries attempt to prevent system recovery operations that could restore functionality or remove malicious payloads. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of T1566: Phishing, though in this case the attack vector does not require user interaction, making it a particularly stealthy and dangerous threat.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-48614 should focus on implementing comprehensive permission verification mechanisms within the RecoverySystem.java component. The primary fix involves adding robust access control checks to the rebootWipeUserData method that validate the calling process's privileges against a predefined set of authorized users or processes. Security updates should enforce strict authentication requirements before allowing factory reset operations, particularly in secure operational modes like DSU. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized factory reset attempts and establish incident response procedures for rapid remediation. Device manufacturers and security teams should prioritize immediate patch deployment and consider implementing additional runtime protections that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The fix should also include logging mechanisms to track all factory reset operations and maintain audit trails for security analysis and compliance requirements.