CVE-2025-48602: Android Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

CVE-2025-48602 Overview

CVE-2025-48602 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in Google Android's KeyguardViewMediator.java component. The flaw exists in the exitKeyguardAndFinishSurfaceBehindRemoteAnimation function, where a logic error allows attackers to bypass the lockscreen security mechanism. This vulnerability enables unauthorized access to the device without requiring user interaction or additional execution privileges.

Critical Impact

Local privilege escalation allowing complete lockscreen bypass on Android devices running versions 14.0, 15.0, and 16.0, potentially exposing all device data and functionality to physical attackers.

Affected Products

• Google Android 14.0
• Google Android 15.0
• Google Android 16.0 (including QPR2 Beta 1, Beta 2, and Beta 3)

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-03-02 - CVE-2025-48602 published to NVD
• 2026-03-03 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-48602

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability (CWE-693: Protection Mechanism Failure) resides in Android's Keyguard component, specifically within the KeyguardViewMediator.java file. The Keyguard is responsible for managing the device's lockscreen security, controlling when and how the device transitions between locked and unlocked states.

The flaw manifests in the exitKeyguardAndFinishSurfaceBehindRemoteAnimation function, which handles the completion of remote animations that occur behind the lockscreen surface. During certain animation transitions, a logic error fails to properly validate the lockscreen state before completing the animation sequence.

This vulnerability requires local access to the device, meaning an attacker would need physical proximity or existing code execution on the target. However, no additional execution privileges are required, and user interaction is not necessary to trigger the bypass. Successful exploitation grants the attacker full access to device functionality that should be protected by the lockscreen.

Root Cause

The root cause is a protection mechanism failure (CWE-693) in the lockscreen state management logic. The exitKeyguardAndFinishSurfaceBehindRemoteAnimation function contains a logic error that fails to properly validate the current authentication state before allowing the keyguard dismissal sequence to complete. This allows the lockscreen to be bypassed without proper credential verification under specific animation transition conditions.

Attack Vector

The attack leverages the local attack vector, requiring either physical access to the device or existing local code execution capabilities. The exploitation scenario involves:

1. Triggering a specific remote animation sequence that interacts with the lockscreen surface
2. Exploiting the logic error in the animation completion handler
3. Causing the keyguard to dismiss without requiring PIN, pattern, password, or biometric authentication
4. Gaining full access to the device's unlocked state

The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no user interaction and no special privileges, making it exploitable by any local attacker with physical device access. For detailed technical information, refer to the Android Security Bulletin March 2026.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-48602

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected device unlocks without user authentication attempts recorded in system logs
• Anomalous activity in KeyguardViewMediator related log entries showing unusual animation state transitions
• Device access events occurring while the lockscreen should have been active
• Application launches or data access that correlate with periods when the device should have been locked

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Android system logs for unusual KeyguardViewMediator function calls and state transitions
• Implement mobile device management (MDM) solutions that can detect lockscreen bypass attempts
• Deploy SentinelOne Mobile Threat Defense to identify exploitation attempts targeting the Keyguard component
• Audit device authentication logs for gaps or inconsistencies in unlock event sequences

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for the Keyguard subsystem on managed devices for forensic analysis
• Configure alerts for devices that report unexpected unlock events without corresponding authentication
• Review security patch levels across the device fleet to identify vulnerable Android versions
• Implement SentinelOne Singularity Mobile for continuous monitoring of Android device security states

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-48602

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the March 2026 Android security patch immediately on all affected devices
• Restrict physical access to devices running vulnerable Android versions until patched
• Enable additional device security measures such as remote wipe capabilities for lost or stolen devices
• Verify patch application through MDM solutions or manual security patch level verification

Patch Information

Google has addressed this vulnerability in the Android Security Bulletin March 2026. Organizations and users should update to the latest security patch level (2026-03-01 or later) to remediate this vulnerability. The patch corrects the logic error in the exitKeyguardAndFinishSurfaceBehindRemoteAnimation function to properly validate lockscreen state before completing animation transitions.

Workarounds

• Maintain strict physical security for devices that cannot be immediately patched
• Consider temporarily disabling remote animations through developer options if feasible for your environment
• Implement additional authentication layers at the application level for sensitive apps
• Use enterprise containers or work profiles to add an additional layer of protection for sensitive data

# Verify Android security patch level via ADB
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# Expected output should be 2026-03-01 or later