CVE-2025-22424: Google Android Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2025-22424 Overview

CVE-2025-22424 is an improper input validation vulnerability affecting multiple components in Google Android. The flaw allows images to be revealed across user boundaries on the device, leading to local privilege escalation. Exploitation requires user interaction but no additional execution privileges. The issue is tracked under [CWE-20: Improper Input Validation] and was addressed in the Android Security Bulletin June 2026. Affected versions include Android 14, 15, and 16, including 16 QPR2 beta builds.

Critical Impact

A local attacker can cross user isolation boundaries to disclose image content belonging to other users on the same device, breaking the multi-user privacy model.

Affected Products

• Google Android 14.0
• Google Android 15.0
• Google Android 16.0 (including QPR2 Beta 1, 2, and 3)

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-06-01 - CVE-2025-22424 published to NVD and addressed in the Android Security Bulletin
• 2026-06-03 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-22424

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in multiple locations within the Android platform where input validation is performed insufficiently before image resources are accessed or surfaced. Because validation fails to enforce the per-user boundary, an attacker operating in one user profile can cause the system to return image data associated with another user. Android implements multi-user separation through UID isolation and per-user storage directories, and this flaw subverts that model. The result is local privilege escalation in the sense that data normally restricted to a different user becomes accessible.

Exploitation requires user interaction, indicating the attacker must induce the victim to perform an action such as opening a crafted file, tapping a notification, or interacting with a malicious application. No elevated permissions are needed beyond those granted to a standard local app.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper input validation [CWE-20] across multiple code paths handling image resources. Identifier or path inputs are accepted without verifying they belong to the calling user context, allowing reference resolution to traverse user-scoped boundaries.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local. A malicious application installed under one user account on a multi-user Android device crafts input that references image content belonging to another user. With minimal interaction from the targeted user, the attacker retrieves image data that should remain isolated.

No verified public exploit or proof-of-concept code is available. Refer to the Android Security Bulletin June 2026 for component-level technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-22424

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected access requests from applications to image content providers across user contexts
• Applications enumerating content URIs outside the bounds of the current user profile
• Anomalous MediaStore or content resolver queries originating from non-system processes

Detection Strategies

• Monitor application telemetry for unusual content-provider queries referencing cross-user identifiers or storage paths
• Inspect installed application behavior for permission-abuse patterns combined with image content access
• Correlate user-interaction events such as file opens with subsequent unexpected media reads

Monitoring Recommendations

• Track Android Security Patch Level on managed devices via mobile device management (MDM) to ensure the June 2026 patch is applied
• Audit application installations on shared and multi-user devices for unverified sources
• Log and review content-provider access patterns where supported by enterprise mobility tooling

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-22424

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the June 2026 Android Security Patch Level to all affected Android 14, 15, and 16 devices
• Through MDM, enforce minimum patch level policies and block non-compliant devices from accessing corporate resources
• Restrict installation of applications from untrusted sources on multi-user devices

Patch Information

Google released fixes in the Android Security Bulletin June 2026. Devices must be updated to a security patch level of 2026-06-01 or later. OEM rollouts vary, so verify availability with the device manufacturer and carrier.

Workarounds

• Avoid configuring multiple user profiles on devices that cannot receive the June 2026 patch
• Limit installation of third-party applications, particularly those requesting access to media or storage permissions
• Educate users to avoid interacting with unsolicited image links, attachments, or prompts from untrusted applications