CVE-2025-48611 Overview
CVE-2025-48611 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in the Android operating system. The flaw resides in the DeviceId component, specifically within DeviceId.java, where a missing bounds check produces a persistence desynchronization condition. An attacker with local access can exploit this issue to escalate privileges without any additional execution rights and without user interaction. Google addressed the issue in the Android Security Bulletin published on March 1, 2026. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-120, Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input.
Critical Impact
Local attackers can achieve elevated privileges on affected Android devices through a persistence desync in the DeviceId handler, with no user interaction required.
Affected Products
- Google Android (see Android Security Bulletin March 2026 for affected versions)
- Android Open Source Project (AOSP) builds incorporating the vulnerable DeviceId.java
- Pixel devices running pre-patch firmware
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-01 - Google releases security patch in the Android Security Bulletin
- 2026-03-10 - CVE-2025-48611 published to NVD
- 2026-03-30 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-48611
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability exists in the DeviceId class implemented in DeviceId.java. The code path responsible for handling device identifier persistence fails to validate input length before performing a copy operation, creating a buffer handling weakness classified under [CWE-120]. The result is a desynchronization between in-memory state and persisted data, which an attacker can manipulate to influence privileged components that consume the persisted identifier.
The issue is locally exploitable. An attacker must already hold low-privilege code execution on the device, for example through a malicious application installed from a sideloaded source. Once exploited, the flaw yields elevation of privilege within the Android security model.
Root Cause
The root cause is a missing bounds check on data written to the DeviceId persistence layer. Without length validation, oversized or malformed input causes the persisted representation to drift from the runtime representation. Downstream consumers that trust the persisted value then operate on attacker-influenced data, breaking the integrity guarantee the component is expected to provide.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local access with low privileges and no user interaction. A malicious application running on the device can supply crafted input to the DeviceId interface to trigger the desync. The attacker then leverages the inconsistent state to gain capabilities normally restricted to higher-privileged Android components. Because user interaction is not required, the attack can run silently in the background of a compromised application.
No verified public proof-of-concept code or exploit module is currently available for this issue. Refer to the Android Security Bulletin March 2026 for vendor-supplied technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-48611
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected modifications to device identifier persistence files or shared preferences associated with the DeviceId component
- Applications invoking system APIs related to device identification at abnormal frequency or with malformed payloads
- Privilege escalation events on Android endpoints with no corresponding administrative action
Detection Strategies
- Inspect installed applications for use of reflection or native code paths that interact with internal DeviceId interfaces
- Correlate Android logcat entries showing DeviceId parsing or persistence errors with subsequent privileged operations
- Audit Mobile Device Management (MDM) telemetry for devices running Android security patch levels older than March 2026
Monitoring Recommendations
- Track Android security patch level (ro.build.version.security_patch) across the fleet and alert on devices below 2026-03-01
- Monitor for newly installed applications requesting access to device identifiers shortly before privilege-sensitive events
- Forward mobile endpoint telemetry to a centralized data lake for retrospective hunting against CWE-120 patterns
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-48611
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the Android security patch level 2026-03-01 or later to all managed Android devices
- Restrict installation of applications to vetted sources by enforcing MDM policies that block sideloading
- Inventory devices unable to receive the 2026-03-01 patch and plan replacement or isolation
Patch Information
Google published the fix in the Android Security Bulletin March 2026. Devices must be updated to security patch level 2026-03-01 or later. Pixel devices receive the patch directly from Google, while other Android OEMs distribute the fix on their own update cadence. Verify the deployed patch level using adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch or the device Settings under About Phone.
Workarounds
- No vendor-supplied workaround exists; patching is the supported remediation
- Reduce exposure by limiting which applications can run on sensitive devices through enterprise allowlisting
- Enforce least-privilege application permissions and disable installation from unknown sources via MDM
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
