CVE-2025-0078 Overview
CVE-2025-0078 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in Google Android. The flaw resides in main.cpp within the Android frameworks/native component. A logic error in the code allows attackers to bypass Security-Enhanced Linux (SELinux) enforcement. Exploitation requires no user interaction and no additional execution privileges beyond a low-privilege local context.
The vulnerability affects Android versions 12.0 through 15.0. Google addressed the issue in the Android Security Bulletin March 2025. The weakness is categorized under [CWE-250] (Execution with Unnecessary Privileges).
Critical Impact
An attacker with local code execution can bypass SELinux confinement and escalate privileges on affected Android devices, undermining a core kernel-level security boundary.
Affected Products
- Google Android 12.0 and 12.1
- Google Android 13.0 and 14.0
- Google Android 15.0
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-01 - Google releases security patch in Android Security Bulletin
- 2025-08-26 - CVE-2025-0078 published to NVD
- 2025-09-02 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-0078
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability exists in main.cpp within the Android native frameworks. SELinux on Android enforces mandatory access control policies that confine system services and applications. A logic error in the affected code path allows a local attacker to circumvent these policy checks.
The CWE-250 classification indicates the affected process executes with unnecessary privileges. When the logic flaw is triggered, the process operates outside its intended SELinux domain. This grants the attacker access to resources and operations that should be denied by policy.
The attack does not require user interaction. Successful exploitation results in escalation to a higher-privileged context, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the device.
Root Cause
The root cause is a logic error in main.cpp that fails to correctly enforce SELinux constraints before performing privileged operations. The fix is implemented in commit c32d4defe0f4e5cad86437d6672de7a76caf1a79 in the Android platform/frameworks/native repository.
Attack Vector
An attacker with the ability to run code on the device, such as through a malicious application installed by the user, can trigger the flawed code path. Once the SELinux bypass succeeds, the attacker performs operations outside the application sandbox. This enables further privilege escalation and persistence on the device.
No public proof-of-concept exploit is currently available, and the issue is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The vulnerability mechanism is described in the Android code update commit.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-0078
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected processes executing outside their assigned SELinux domain or transitioning to privileged contexts such as system or root.
- SELinux audit log entries (avc: denied or unusual avc: granted events) inconsistent with the application's declared permissions.
- Installation of applications from untrusted sources shortly before privilege escalation events appear in device telemetry.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor Android device logs for anomalous SELinux policy transitions originating from user-installed applications.
- Correlate process spawning events with the application UID and the expected SELinux domain to identify unauthorized domain changes.
- Inspect mobile device management (MDM) telemetry for Android builds that have not received the March 2025 security patch level (2025-03-01).
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enforce a minimum Android security patch level of 2025-03-01 through MDM compliance policies.
- Integrate Android device event logs into a centralized analytics pipeline and alert on SELinux denials from non-system applications.
- Track installations of sideloaded applications and unsigned APKs that may carry exploit code targeting this flaw.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-0078
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the March 2025 Android security patch (2025-03-01 security patch level) on all managed devices running Android 12 through 15.
- Audit enterprise device fleets through MDM and quarantine devices that cannot be updated to the patched build.
- Restrict installation of applications to vetted sources such as Google Play and managed enterprise catalogs.
Patch Information
Google published the fix in the Android Security Bulletin March 2025. The corresponding source change is available at Android Code Update. Device manufacturers integrate the patch into vendor-specific Android builds, and end users must install the OEM update that advertises the 2025-03-01 patch level or later.
Workarounds
- No vendor-supplied workaround exists; updating to the patched Android build is the only supported remediation.
- Until patches are deployed, block installation of untrusted applications via MDM policy and disable developer options and USB debugging on production devices.
- Limit device exposure to networks and accounts containing sensitive data while unpatched.
# Verify the Android security patch level on a managed device
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# Expected output for remediated devices: 2025-03-01 or later
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
