CVE-2025-26425: Google Android Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVE-2025-26425 Overview

CVE-2025-26425 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in the Android RoleService.java component. The flaw stems from a logic error that enables permission squatting when android.permission.MANAGE_DEFAULT_APPLICATIONS is not defined on the target device. A local application can claim the undefined permission and gain elevated capabilities without user interaction. Google addressed the issue in the May 2025 Android Security Bulletin, and it affects Android 14 and Android 15 builds.

Critical Impact
A local, unprivileged application can escalate privileges on affected Android devices by squatting the undefined MANAGE_DEFAULT_APPLICATIONS permission, gaining the ability to influence default application role assignments without user consent.

Affected Products

Google Android 14.0
Google Android 15.0
Android Open Source Project (AOSP) Permission module builds prior to the May 2025 patch level

Discovery Timeline

2025-05-01 - Fix published in the Android Security Bulletin May 2025
2025-09-04 - CVE-2025-26425 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-26425

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in multiple functions within RoleService.java, part of the Android Permission module. Android's role framework governs which applications can hold privileged roles such as default dialer, SMS handler, or default browser. Access to these role management APIs is gated by android.permission.MANAGE_DEFAULT_APPLICATIONS, a signature-level permission intended for privileged system components.

On Android builds where this permission is not defined at the platform level, a third-party application can declare it in its own manifest. Android's permission system treats the first app to define an undefined permission as its owner, granting the declaring app the permission by default. This behavior, categorized under [CWE-266: Incorrect Privilege Assignment], allows a malicious app to squat the permission and pass the guard checks in RoleService.

Root Cause

The root cause is a logic error in how the permission is declared and enforced across Android versions. When MANAGE_DEFAULT_APPLICATIONS is missing from the platform's manifest, permission checks in RoleService succeed for any app that self-defines the string. The fix ensures the permission is consistently defined by the platform with appropriate protection flags. Refer to the Android Permission Module Update for the exact source-level correction.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local code execution on the device through a previously installed application. The attacker application declares android.permission.MANAGE_DEFAULT_APPLICATIONS in its manifest and invokes RoleService APIs. No user interaction is required beyond installing the malicious application. Successful exploitation lets the attacker manipulate default application role assignments, opening follow-on attack paths such as intent redirection or handler hijacking.

No public proof-of-concept or exploit code is available. See the Android Security Bulletin May 2025 for advisory details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-26425

Indicators of Compromise

Applications declaring android.permission.MANAGE_DEFAULT_APPLICATIONS in their manifest despite not being system-privileged apps.
Unexpected changes to default application role holders (dialer, SMS, browser, home) initiated by non-system packages.
Installed APKs targeting Android 14 or 15 that request permissions typically reserved for platform components.

Detection Strategies

Perform static analysis of installed APKs to enumerate declared permissions and flag apps requesting privileged platform permissions.
Query PackageManager for role holder changes and correlate with the package responsible for the change.
Monitor mobile device management (MDM) telemetry for devices running pre-May 2025 security patch levels on Android 14 and 15.

Monitoring Recommendations

Track Android security patch levels across managed fleets and alert on devices below the 2025-05-01 patch level.
Ingest mobile threat defense (MTD) telemetry into a centralized data lake to correlate permission anomalies with app installation events.
Audit new app installations from unknown sources and review manifest permissions before allowing execution on corporate devices.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-26425

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the May 2025 Android security patch or later to all Android 14 and Android 15 devices.
Enforce a minimum security patch level policy through mobile device management to block non-compliant devices.
Remove untrusted or sideloaded applications requesting MANAGE_DEFAULT_APPLICATIONS or other privileged platform permissions.

Patch Information

Google released the source-level fix in the Android Permission module under commit 850ce9ea3ac72540ce310722633d9c893a32dfdd. The patch is included in the 2025-05-01 security patch level published in the Android Security Bulletin May 2025. Device manufacturers distribute the fix through their own over-the-air update channels; verify vendor-specific availability for each device model.

Workarounds

Restrict app installation to Google Play or vetted enterprise app stores through MDM policy.
Require Google Play Protect to remain enabled on all managed devices to identify known malicious applications.
Use enterprise mobility management to block installation of apps requesting sensitive platform-defined permissions.

bash

# Verify Android security patch level on a device via adb
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch

# Expected output should be 2025-05-01 or later
# 2025-05-01