CVE-2025-26444 Overview
CVE-2025-26444 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in Google Android's VoiceInteractionManagerService.java component. The flaw resides in the onHandleForceStop handler, where a logic error causes the system to revert to the default assistant application when a user-selected assistant is forcibly stopped. When this reversion occurs, the default assistant app is automatically granted ROLE_ASSISTANT without any additional execution privileges required. The weakness is classified under [CWE-693] (Protection Mechanism Failure). Exploitation requires no user interaction and affects Android 13.0 and Android 14.0.
Critical Impact
A local attacker can obtain ROLE_ASSISTANT privileges without user interaction, enabling access to assistant-scoped capabilities and sensitive user data.
Affected Products
- Google Android 13.0
- Google Android 14.0
- AOSP frameworks/base — VoiceInteractionManagerService.java
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-09-04 - CVE-2025-26444 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
- May 2025 - Addressed in the Android Security Bulletin May 2025
Technical Details for CVE-2025-26444
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability exists in the onHandleForceStop method of VoiceInteractionManagerService.java, a system service that manages the Android assistant role. When a user-selected assistant application receives a force-stop event, the service contains a logic error in how it evaluates whether to fall back to the default assistant. Instead of preserving the user's explicit choice or requiring re-confirmation, the service incorrectly reassigns ROLE_ASSISTANT to the default assistant application. This role grant occurs silently at the system layer, bypassing the standard consent flow that normally accompanies assistant selection.
Because ROLE_ASSISTANT unlocks capabilities such as reading on-screen content, receiving user speech, and interacting with foreground apps, the automatic reassignment constitutes a local escalation of privilege for the application designated as default.
Root Cause
The root cause is a protection mechanism failure [CWE-693] in the assistant role management logic. The onHandleForceStop handler treats a force-stop event as an implicit signal to restore the default assistant, but it does not enforce user consent or role authorization checks before granting ROLE_ASSISTANT. The upstream fix corrects this control flow so that the role is not silently reassigned.
Attack Vector
Exploitation is local and requires low privileges. An attacker with the ability to trigger or influence a force-stop of the currently active assistant application can cause the system to reassign ROLE_ASSISTANT to a preinstalled or attacker-controlled default assistant. No user interaction is required. The vulnerability does not permit remote exploitation and depends on local process execution capability on the affected device.
// No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available.
// See the AOSP commit for the corrected onHandleForceStop logic:
// https://android.googlesource.com/platform/frameworks/base/+/c439c7e75e73056e6201fa4f4fe340e715196182
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-26444
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected changes to the assistant role holder observable via RoleManager queries or dumpsys role.
- Force-stop events targeting the current ROLE_ASSISTANT holder in logcat originating from non-user contexts.
- Post-event assignment of ROLE_ASSISTANT to a package that the user did not select.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor Android device logs for VoiceInteractionManagerService events correlated with onHandleForceStop invocations and subsequent role transitions.
- Audit installed applications on managed devices for packages holding ROLE_ASSISTANT that were not user-selected through Settings.
- Compare device patch levels against the May 2025 Android Security Bulletin to identify unpatched fleet devices.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enroll Android devices in a Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) platform to track security patch levels centrally.
- Alert on applications that request or acquire assistant-related permissions such as BIND_VOICE_INTERACTION outside expected provisioning windows.
- Forward device telemetry to a centralized data lake for retrospective hunting on role changes and force-stop patterns.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-26444
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the May 2025 Android security patch level or later on all Android 13 and Android 14 devices.
- Inventory enterprise Android devices and verify each device reports a Security Patch Level of 2025-05-01 or newer.
- Restrict sideloading and enforce Play Protect on managed devices to reduce local attacker footholds.
Patch Information
Google addressed CVE-2025-26444 in the Android Security Bulletin May 2025. The corresponding source fix is available in the AOSP frameworks/base commit c439c7e7, which updates the onHandleForceStop logic in VoiceInteractionManagerService.java so that ROLE_ASSISTANT is not silently reassigned after a force-stop.
Workarounds
- Where patching is delayed, users can manually verify and, if needed, reset the assistant application under Settings → Apps → Default apps → Digital assistant app.
- Limit installation of applications capable of holding ROLE_ASSISTANT to trusted, vetted vendors on managed fleets.
- Enforce MDM policies that block untrusted assistant applications from being set as default.
# Check the security patch level on an Android device via adb
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# List the current holder of ROLE_ASSISTANT
adb shell cmd role get-role-holders android.app.role.ASSISTANT
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
