CVE-2025-48617 Overview
CVE-2025-48617 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in Google Android 17. The flaw exists in the overrideConfig method of CarrierConfigLoader.java, where a missing authorization check allows callers to bypass the UID validation. An attacker with local access can exploit this weakness to escalate privileges without requiring additional execution rights or user interaction. The issue is tracked under CWE-862: Missing Authorization and is addressed in the Android Security Bulletin #17.
Critical Impact
Local applications can bypass UID-based permission checks in the Android telephony stack, leading to elevated privileges with no user interaction required.
Affected Products
- Google Android 17.0
- Android telephony component CarrierConfigLoader
- Devices running unpatched Android 17 builds
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-17 - CVE-2025-48617 published to NVD
- 2026-06-18 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-48617
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the overrideConfig function of CarrierConfigLoader.java, a privileged Android telephony component responsible for applying carrier configuration overrides. The function is intended to restrict configuration changes to callers operating under an authorized UID. A flaw in the permission verification logic allows the UID check to be bypassed, granting unauthorized callers the ability to invoke configuration override operations they should not have access to.
Successful exploitation results in local escalation of privilege. An attacker leveraging this weakness gains the ability to modify carrier configuration values typically reserved for system or privileged carrier applications, expanding their effective permissions on the device.
Root Cause
The root cause is a missing or incorrectly implemented authorization check in overrideConfig. The function fails to fully validate that the calling UID belongs to a privileged carrier app or system process before applying configuration changes. This maps to CWE-862: Missing Authorization.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local access on the device, typically achieved through a malicious or compromised application installed with low privileges. The attacker invokes the affected interface and bypasses the UID check to execute privileged operations. No user interaction is required, and no additional execution privileges are needed beyond what a standard third-party application already possesses.
The vulnerability mechanism is described in prose because no public proof-of-concept code has been verified. Refer to the Android Security Bulletin #17 for vendor-provided technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-48617
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected modifications to carrier configuration values on Android 17 devices outside of normal carrier app updates.
- Third-party applications invoking telephony configuration APIs that are not part of their declared functionality.
- Anomalous binder transactions targeting CarrierConfigLoader from non-privileged UIDs.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor mobile device telemetry for applications attempting to call privileged telephony interfaces outside of expected carrier app contexts.
- Inspect installed applications for use of reflection or hidden APIs targeting com.android.internal.telephony.CarrierConfigLoader.
- Correlate privilege escalation indicators with recent application installs from untrusted sources.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Track Android security patch level (SPL) compliance across the managed device fleet and flag devices missing the Android Security Bulletin #17 patch set.
- Enable mobile threat defense or EDR telemetry to alert on suspicious binder IPC patterns and configuration tampering.
- Review carrier configuration change logs on enrolled devices for unauthorized override events.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-48617
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the Android 17 security patch referenced in the Android Security Bulletin #17 as soon as the OEM update is available.
- Restrict installation of applications from untrusted sources on managed Android 17 devices through MDM policy.
- Audit installed applications and remove any unnecessary or untrusted apps that could be used as a local launchpad.
Patch Information
Google has addressed CVE-2025-48617 in the Android 17 security update. Device owners should install the latest security patch level distributed by their device manufacturer that incorporates fixes from the Android Security Bulletin #17. Enterprise administrators should verify patch deployment through their mobile device management platform.
Workarounds
- No official workaround has been published by Google; patching to the fixed Android 17 build is the recommended remediation.
- Enforce MDM controls that limit sideloading and require Google Play Protect to remain enabled on all managed devices.
- Use mobile threat defense capabilities to identify applications attempting to interact with privileged telephony components.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
