CVE-2025-32313: Google Android Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2025-32313 Overview

CVE-2025-32313 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the Android UsageEvents.java component. The flaw originates from an incorrect bounds check in the UsageEvents class. A local attacker can exploit this issue to achieve local privilege escalation without requiring additional execution privileges. User interaction is not required for successful exploitation. The vulnerability affects Android versions 14, 15, and 16, and is tracked under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write). Google addressed the issue in the Android Security Bulletin March 2026.

Critical Impact

Local attackers can escalate privileges on affected Android devices without user interaction, gaining high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Affected Products

• Google Android 14.0
• Google Android 15.0
• Google Android 16.0

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-03-02 - CVE-2025-32313 published to NVD
• 2026-03-01 - Google releases fix in Android Security Bulletin March 2026
• 2026-03-06 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-32313

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in UsageEvents.java, a component of the Android framework responsible for tracking application usage statistics. An incorrect bounds check in the UsageEvents class enables an out-of-bounds write condition. Writing beyond the intended buffer boundary corrupts adjacent memory, which an attacker can leverage to influence control flow or sensitive data structures in a privileged process context.

The issue is classified under [CWE-787] (Out-of-bounds Write). Memory corruption in framework code is particularly impactful because the affected process often runs with system-level privileges, providing a direct path to privilege escalation.

Root Cause

The root cause is an improper bounds check when handling UsageEvents data. The validation logic fails to correctly verify the size or index used for a write operation against the allocated buffer. As a result, attacker-controlled data writes past the buffer boundary, corrupting adjacent memory regions.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is local. An attacker requires the ability to execute code on the affected device, typically through a malicious or compromised application. No user interaction or additional permissions are required. The malicious application triggers the vulnerable code path in the system process handling UsageEvents, achieving privilege escalation from an unprivileged context to system-level access.

No public proof-of-concept or exploit code has been published. Refer to the Android Security Bulletin March 2026 for vendor technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-32313

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected crashes or SIGSEGV signals in system_server or processes interacting with the UsageStatsService.
• Installation of applications from untrusted sources that target android.app.usage.UsageEvents APIs in unusual ways.
• Anomalous process privilege transitions originating from unprivileged user applications.

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Android device logs for repeated crashes referencing UsageEvents or UsageStatsManager in logcat and tombstone files.
• Inspect mobile device management (MDM) telemetry for devices remaining on pre-March 2026 Android security patch levels.
• Apply behavioral identification to detect applications attempting unexpected privilege escalation sequences on managed mobile devices.

Monitoring Recommendations

• Track Android security patch level across the device fleet and flag devices that have not received the March 2026 patch.
• Review installed application provenance, focusing on sideloaded packages that request access to usage statistics APIs.
• Correlate device crash reports with application installation events to surface potential exploitation attempts.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-32313

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the March 2026 Android security patch level to all Android 14, 15, and 16 devices in the fleet.
• Restrict installation of applications from unknown sources through MDM policy enforcement.
• Audit installed applications and remove any that are untrusted or no longer required.

Patch Information

Google released a fix as part of the Android Security Bulletin March 2026. Devices running the 2026-03-01 security patch level or later are not affected. OEM rollout schedules vary, so coordinate with device vendors to confirm patch availability for specific hardware models.

Workarounds

• No vendor-provided workaround exists. Patching is the only complete remediation.
• Until patches are deployed, enforce strict application allowlisting through enterprise mobility management.
• Disable installation from unknown sources and require Google Play Protect to be active on managed devices.