CVE-2025-48611: DeviceId.java Privilege Escalation Flaw

CVE-2025-48611 Overview

CVE-2025-48611 is a critical vulnerability affecting Android's DeviceId.java component. The flaw stems from a missing bounds check in the DeviceId handling logic, which can lead to a persistence desync condition. This vulnerability enables local privilege escalation without requiring any additional execution privileges or user interaction.

Critical Impact

Local privilege escalation vulnerability allowing attackers to gain elevated system privileges on affected Android devices without user interaction or additional execution privileges.

Affected Products

• Android devices running vulnerable versions (refer to Android Security Bulletin March 2026)
• Google Pixel devices (addressed in Pixel Security Bulletin 2026-03-01)

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-03-10 - CVE CVE-2025-48611 published to NVD
• 2026-03-11 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-48611

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability exists within the DeviceId.java class in Android's device identification subsystem. The root cause is a missing bounds check that creates a desynchronization in the persistence layer. When exploited, this allows an attacker to manipulate device identification data in ways that bypass security controls, ultimately leading to privilege escalation.

The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no user interaction and no additional execution privileges to exploit. An attacker with local access to a vulnerable device could leverage this flaw to elevate their privileges to a higher security context within the Android system.

Root Cause

The vulnerability originates from improper input validation in the DeviceId class. Specifically, the code fails to perform adequate bounds checking before processing device identification data. This missing validation allows malformed or out-of-bounds data to be persisted, creating a desync condition between the expected state and actual stored data. The persistence desync can then be leveraged to bypass security boundaries and escalate privileges.

Attack Vector

The attack can be executed over a network vector, despite leading to local privilege escalation. An attacker could potentially deliver a malicious payload that triggers the bounds check bypass in the DeviceId component. The exploitation flow involves:

1. Crafting input that bypasses the missing bounds validation
2. Triggering the persistence desync condition in DeviceId.java
3. Leveraging the desync to manipulate security-sensitive data
4. Achieving privilege escalation without requiring user interaction

The vulnerability mechanism involves the missing bounds check in the DeviceId persistence logic. When device identification data is processed without proper boundary validation, the system can enter an inconsistent state where security controls can be bypassed. For detailed technical information, refer to the Android Security Bulletin March 2026.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-48611

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected modifications to device identification data or persistence files
• Anomalous privilege escalation events without corresponding user authentication
• System logs showing unusual DeviceId component behavior or errors
• Processes running with elevated privileges that originated from untrusted sources

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Android system logs for anomalies in the DeviceId component
• Implement runtime application self-protection (RASP) to detect privilege escalation attempts
• Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of identifying suspicious persistence modifications
• Review system integrity by comparing DeviceId-related data against known-good baselines

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for Android system components during security investigations
• Configure SentinelOne agents to monitor for privilege escalation patterns on Android endpoints
• Establish baseline behavior profiles for device identification processes
• Alert on any unauthorized modifications to security-sensitive persistence data

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-48611

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the Android security patch from the March 2026 Security Bulletin immediately
• Ensure all managed Android devices are enrolled in automatic security update programs
• Review device logs for any signs of exploitation prior to patching
• Consider restricting network access to vulnerable devices until patches are applied

Patch Information

Google has addressed this vulnerability in the Android Security Bulletin March 2026. The Pixel-specific security bulletin dated 2026-03-01 contains the necessary patches for Pixel devices. Organizations should ensure all Android devices in their fleet are updated to the patched security patch level.

For enterprise environments, coordinate with your Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution to push the security updates to all enrolled devices. Verify patch deployment by checking that devices report a security patch level of 2026-03-01 or later.

Workarounds

• Implement network segmentation to limit exposure of unpatched devices
• Enable additional authentication requirements for sensitive operations on vulnerable devices
• Deploy SentinelOne Mobile Threat Defense for real-time protection against exploitation attempts
• Consider temporary device isolation for high-value targets until patches are applied

# Verify Android security patch level on device
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# Expected output for patched devices: 2026-03-01 or later

# Check for pending system updates
adb shell pm list packages -f | grep -i update