CVE-2025-27700 Overview
CVE-2025-27700 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in Google Android that allows an attacker to bypass carrier restrictions on the device. Google addressed the issue in the Android Security Bulletin published on May 1, 2025. The flaw is categorized under [CWE-693] (Protection Mechanism Failure), reflecting a weakness in an enforcement control rather than a memory-safety defect. Exploitation requires local access but no user interaction and no prior privileges. A successful attack yields high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected device.
Critical Impact
An attacker with local access can bypass carrier-enforced restrictions and escalate privileges on the device without any user interaction.
Affected Products
- Google Android (per Android Security Bulletin May 2025)
- Google Pixel devices covered by the May 2025 Pixel bulletin
- Android OEM builds incorporating the affected component prior to the May 2025 patch level
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-05-01 - Google publishes fix in the Android Security Bulletin May 2025
- 2025-05-27 - CVE-2025-27700 published to NVD
- 2025-07-24 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-27700
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability allows a bypass of carrier restrictions on Android devices. Carrier restrictions are a protection mechanism that constrains device behavior such as SIM locking and operator-controlled policies. Google's advisory describes the issue as stemming from an unusual root cause and classifies the resulting outcome as local elevation of privilege.
The defect maps to [CWE-693] Protection Mechanism Failure. In this class of bug, the security control exists but does not consistently enforce the intended policy. Once the restriction is bypassed, an attacker gains access to functionality or data that the carrier policy was designed to gate, resulting in privilege escalation on the affected device.
Exploitation does not require user interaction and does not require the attacker to hold elevated permissions before the attack. The attack surface is local, meaning the adversary must have code execution or physical access to the device to trigger the condition.
Root Cause
The root cause is a failure in the enforcement path for carrier restriction checks. Google's bulletin notes the underlying cause is atypical for this class of issue. The protection logic can be circumvented through a code path that does not correctly consult or apply the carrier policy state.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local. An adversary with local access to the device, for example through an installed application or shell access, can invoke the vulnerable path to disable or bypass carrier restrictions. Because no privileges and no user interaction are required, the attack can be executed silently by an unprivileged local process. Refer to the Android Security Bulletin May 2025 for component-level technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-27700
Indicators of Compromise
- Devices reporting an Android security patch level earlier than 2025-05-01 while in production use
- Unexpected changes to carrier restriction state, SIM lock status, or operator policy flags
- Local applications invoking telephony or carrier configuration interfaces outside their declared use
Detection Strategies
- Inventory Android device security patch levels via mobile device management (MDM) and flag any device below patch level 2025-05-01
- Monitor telephony subsystem logs for anomalous transitions in carrier restriction or SIM lock state
- Correlate installs of unknown or sideloaded applications with subsequent changes to carrier policy state
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enforce MDM compliance policies that require the May 2025 (or later) Android security patch level
- Alert on devices that fall out of compliance with carrier configuration baselines
- Review mobile application telemetry for processes accessing telephony APIs without a legitimate business need
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-27700
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the May 2025 Android security update (2025-05-01 patch level) on all managed Android devices
- Prioritize patching for Pixel devices and OEM builds that have shipped the May 2025 bulletin fixes
- Restrict installation of untrusted applications and disable sideloading on managed fleets until devices are patched
Patch Information
Google published the fix in the Android Security Bulletin May 2025. Devices must report a security patch level of 2025-05-01 or later to be considered remediated. OEMs integrate Android Open Source Project (AOSP) fixes on varying schedules, so verify each vendor's update for this CVE.
Workarounds
- No vendor-provided workaround is documented; patching is the supported remediation path
- Limit local access by enforcing strong device authentication, disabling Android Debug Bridge (ADB) on production devices, and blocking installation from unknown sources
- Use MDM conditional access to deny corporate resource access from Android devices below patch level 2025-05-01
# Verify Android security patch level on a connected device
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# Expected output for remediated devices: 2025-05-01 or later
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
