CVE-2025-48585 Overview
CVE-2025-48585 is an Improper Input Validation vulnerability affecting multiple functions within ProfilingService.java in Google Android. The vulnerability enables a persistent denial of service condition due to insufficient validation of input data. This flaw can be exploited locally without requiring any user interaction or additional execution privileges, making it particularly concerning for Android device security.
Critical Impact
This vulnerability allows attackers to cause a persistent denial of service on affected Android devices, potentially rendering device profiling services unusable until remediation steps are taken.
Affected Products
- Google Android 16.0
- Google Android 16.0 QPR2 Beta 1
- Google Android 16.0 QPR2 Beta 2
- Google Android 16.0 QPR2 Beta 3
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-02 - CVE-2025-48585 published to NVD
- 2026-03-03 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-48585
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability stems from CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) within the Android ProfilingService.java component. The affected functions fail to properly validate input parameters before processing, allowing malformed or malicious input to trigger a persistent denial of service condition. The local attack vector means an attacker would need access to the device, either through a malicious application or direct device access, to exploit this flaw.
The persistent nature of this denial of service is particularly significant—unlike transient DoS conditions that resolve upon service restart, this vulnerability can cause lasting impact to the profiling service functionality until explicit remediation is performed.
Root Cause
The root cause lies in inadequate input validation within multiple functions of ProfilingService.java. The component does not sufficiently sanitize or validate input data before processing, allowing specially crafted input to corrupt internal state or consume resources in a way that persists across service restarts. This improper input validation (CWE-20) is a fundamental secure coding issue that can manifest in various ways depending on how the malformed input is processed.
Attack Vector
The attack is executed locally on the Android device. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability through:
- A malicious application installed on the device that sends crafted input to the ProfilingService
- Direct device access to invoke the vulnerable service functions with malformed parameters
- Exploitation through other local privilege escalation chains that enable access to the ProfilingService interface
No user interaction is required for successful exploitation, and no additional execution privileges beyond standard application permissions are needed. The attack results in high availability impact with no confidentiality or integrity implications.
The vulnerability affects the profiling infrastructure of Android, which is responsible for collecting and managing performance profiling data. When exploited, the service enters a persistent failure state that impacts device functionality related to profiling operations.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-48585
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected failures or crashes in the Android ProfilingService that persist after device restart
- Anomalous log entries related to ProfilingService.java indicating input validation failures or exceptions
- Applications failing to interact with profiling services despite proper permissions
Detection Strategies
- Monitor Android system logs for repeated ProfilingService exceptions or input validation errors
- Implement application-level monitoring to detect unusual patterns of service invocations targeting ProfilingService
- Deploy mobile threat detection solutions capable of identifying apps attempting to exploit system services
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging for ProfilingService in development and staging environments to identify exploitation attempts
- Implement runtime application self-protection (RASP) on enterprise-managed devices to detect abnormal service interactions
- Review installed applications for suspicious permission requests or behaviors targeting system services
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-48585
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the Android security patch from the March 2026 security bulletin immediately
- Review and audit installed applications for potentially malicious behavior
- Enable automatic security updates on all Android devices to ensure timely patch deployment
- For enterprise environments, use mobile device management (MDM) solutions to push security updates across the fleet
Patch Information
Google has addressed this vulnerability in the Android Security Bulletin 2026-03-01. Device manufacturers and carriers should incorporate this patch into their update schedules. Users should check their device settings for available security updates and apply them promptly.
The fix involves implementing proper input validation checks within the affected functions of ProfilingService.java to reject malformed or malicious input before processing.
Workarounds
- Restrict installation of applications from untrusted sources to minimize exposure to malicious apps
- Use Android Enterprise or similar MDM solutions to enforce security policies that limit exposure to vulnerable services
- Monitor device behavior for signs of persistent service failures and perform factory reset if exploitation is suspected
- Consider disabling developer options and USB debugging on production devices to reduce attack surface
# Verify Android security patch level on device
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# Check for March 2026 security update availability
# Expected output for patched devices: 2026-03-01 or later
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
