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CVE Vulnerability Database
Vulnerability Database/CVE-2025-48522

CVE-2025-48522: Google Android Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2025-48522 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in Google Android that allows apps to retain CDM association through a logic error. This post explains its technical details, affected versions, and mitigation steps.

Published:

CVE-2025-48522 Overview

CVE-2025-48522 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in the Android framework. The flaw resides in the setDisplayName method of AssociationRequest.java, part of the Companion Device Manager (CDM) subsystem. A logic error allows an application to retain a CDM association it should no longer possess. Google addressed the issue in the September 2025 Android Security Bulletin.

Critical Impact

A local application can retain Companion Device Manager associations and escalate privileges without user interaction or additional execution rights.

Affected Products

  • Google Android 13.0
  • Google Android 14.0
  • Google Android 15.0
  • Google Android 16.0

Discovery Timeline

  • 2025-09-04 - CVE-2025-48522 published to the National Vulnerability Database
  • 2025-09-01 - Google publishes the Android Security Bulletin September 2025 with the fix
  • 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-48522

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability sits in the setDisplayName handler of AssociationRequest.java within the Android framework. The Companion Device Manager grants applications a scoped set of privileges when they establish an association with a companion device. These privileges include background access to Bluetooth, location, and other sensitive resources.

A logic error in how the framework processes the display name allows an application to preserve an association that should have been invalidated or revoked. The result is that the app continues to hold the elevated CDM privileges tied to that association. Google classifies the outcome as local escalation of privilege that requires no user interaction and no additional execution privileges. The weakness is categorized under CWE-693: Protection Mechanism Failure.

Root Cause

The root cause is a protection mechanism failure inside the CDM association lifecycle. The framework fails to enforce the correct state transition when setDisplayName is invoked on an AssociationRequest. This allows an attacker-controlled app to bypass the intended teardown or validation path and keep its association record intact.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires local access through an installed application on the device. The malicious app calls into the CDM APIs and manipulates the AssociationRequest object to trigger the flawed logic. Because the attack vector is local and requires low privileges, any sideloaded or Play Store app with baseline permissions is a viable delivery mechanism.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. See the Android Framework Patch for the specific code changes.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-48522

Indicators of Compromise

  • Applications holding CDM associations that persist after the associated companion device is unpaired or removed.
  • Unexpected background access to Bluetooth, location, or nearby-device APIs from apps without a legitimate companion pairing.
  • AssociationInfo records in companiondevice system service state that reference apps outside their expected lifecycle.

Detection Strategies

  • Audit installed applications on managed Android fleets for use of the android.companion APIs, specifically calls to AssociationRequest.Builder.setDisplayName.
  • Compare device patch level against the September 2025 Android Security Bulletin using MDM or EMM inventory data.
  • Review app permission grants over time for anomalies where CDM-linked permissions remain after companion devices are removed.

Monitoring Recommendations

  • Enroll Android devices in an MDM/EMM that reports the monthly security patch level and flag devices below 2025-09-01.
  • Monitor logcat and system service dumps (dumpsys companiondevice) on high-value devices for unexpected persistent associations.
  • Track sideloaded application installs and correlate with requests for CDM or REQUEST_COMPANION_* permissions.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-48522

Immediate Actions Required

  • Apply the September 2025 Android security patch level (2025-09-01 or later) to all managed Android 13, 14, 15, and 16 devices.
  • Enforce a minimum patch level policy through your MDM/EMM and block noncompliant devices from corporate resources.
  • Review and remove untrusted applications that request CDM or companion-device permissions without a business justification.

Patch Information

Google fixed the issue in the framework commit bdad29b85a6ca7c55a697e4e66356b744ef6cdb9. The fix is included in the 2025-09-01 patch level. OEMs distribute the update through their normal Android security update channels. Refer to the Android Security Bulletin September 2025 for the full advisory.

Workarounds

  • No official workaround exists. Patching is the only supported remediation.
  • Restrict installation sources to Google Play and vetted enterprise app stores using MDM policy.
  • Revoke companion-device permissions manually for applications that no longer require them under Settings > Apps > Special app access > Companion device access.
bash
# Verify Android security patch level on a managed device via adb
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# Expected output: 2025-09-01 or later

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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