CVE-2025-48644 Overview
CVE-2025-48644 is an improper input validation vulnerability affecting Google Android operating system across multiple versions. The vulnerability exists in multiple locations within the Android framework and can be exploited to cause a persistent denial of service condition. Notably, the vulnerability requires only local access with low privileges, no user interaction is required for successful exploitation, and no additional execution privileges are needed.
Critical Impact
This vulnerability enables local attackers to cause persistent denial of service conditions on affected Android devices, potentially rendering device functionality unavailable until remediation steps are taken.
Affected Products
- Google Android 14.0
- Google Android 15.0
- Google Android 16.0 (including QPR2 Beta 1, 2, and 3)
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-02 - CVE-2025-48644 published to NVD
- 2026-03-03 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-48644
Vulnerability Analysis
CVE-2025-48644 is classified under CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation), indicating that the affected Android components fail to properly validate input before processing. This improper input validation vulnerability exists in multiple locations within the Android operating system framework.
The vulnerability's characteristics indicate it requires local access to the device for exploitation, meaning an attacker would need either physical access or the ability to execute code locally on the target device. The attack complexity is low, suggesting that once local access is obtained, exploitation is straightforward without requiring specialized conditions or techniques.
What makes this vulnerability particularly concerning is its persistent nature—the denial of service condition persists beyond a simple system restart or service restart, potentially requiring more significant remediation efforts to restore normal device operation. The vulnerability impacts system availability without affecting confidentiality or integrity of data.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2025-48644 is improper input validation across multiple locations within the Android operating system. The affected components fail to adequately sanitize or validate user-supplied input before processing, allowing malformed or malicious input to trigger a persistent denial of service condition. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when developers assume input will conform to expected formats without implementing proper boundary checks or input sanitization routines.
Attack Vector
The attack vector for CVE-2025-48644 is local, requiring an attacker to have existing access to the target Android device. The exploitation scenario involves a local attacker, potentially through a malicious application or direct device access, providing crafted input to the vulnerable Android components. Since no user interaction is required and low privileges are sufficient, a malicious app installed on the device could potentially trigger this vulnerability without additional user consent or elevated permissions.
The persistent nature of the denial of service means the attack impact continues even after the malicious input is no longer being supplied, potentially requiring factory reset or other significant recovery procedures to restore device functionality.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-48644
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected and persistent system crashes or freezes on affected Android devices
- Applications or system services becoming unresponsive without apparent cause
- Device becoming inoperable or requiring factory reset to restore functionality
- Unusual application behavior preceding system instability
Detection Strategies
- Monitor for applications attempting to send malformed input to system services
- Implement application vetting processes to identify potentially malicious applications before installation
- Enable Android's built-in security features including Google Play Protect for threat detection
- Review installed applications for suspicious permissions or behaviors
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable system logging to capture application interactions with system components
- Monitor device health metrics for signs of resource exhaustion or system instability
- Implement mobile device management (MDM) solutions to track device status across enterprise deployments
- Configure alerting for repeated system service crashes or restarts
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-48644
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the latest Android security patches from Google as soon as available for your device
- Review and remove any recently installed applications that may be untrusted
- Limit application installations to trusted sources such as Google Play Store
- Enable Google Play Protect for ongoing threat monitoring
Patch Information
Google has addressed this vulnerability in the Android Security Bulletin March 2026. Users and device manufacturers should apply the 2026-03-01 or later security patch level to remediate this vulnerability. The security bulletin provides detailed information about the patches for Android versions 14.0, 15.0, and 16.0.
Device owners should check their device's current security patch level by navigating to Settings > About Phone > Android Security Patch Level and ensure their device is running the March 2026 security patch or later.
Workarounds
- Avoid installing applications from untrusted sources outside the Google Play Store
- Enable application sandboxing and restrict permissions for non-essential applications
- Consider using enterprise mobility management solutions to restrict application installation
- Maintain regular device backups to facilitate recovery in case of denial of service conditions
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
