CVE-2025-48648 Overview
CVE-2025-48648 is a denial of service vulnerability in the Android NotificationManagerService.java component. The flaw resides in the isSameApp method, where improper handling leads to resource exhaustion [CWE-400]. A local attacker with low privileges can trigger a persistent denial of service condition without requiring user interaction. Google addressed the issue in the June 2026 Android Security Bulletin, which covers Android versions 14, 15, and 16.
Critical Impact
A local low-privileged application can exhaust system resources within NotificationManagerService, producing a persistent denial of service that disrupts notification handling and broader device availability.
Affected Products
- Google Android 14.0
- Google Android 15.0
- Google Android 16.0
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-01 - CVE-2025-48648 published to NVD and disclosed in the Android Security Bulletin
- 2026-06-02 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-48648
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability exists in the isSameApp method of NotificationManagerService.java, a core system service responsible for processing application notifications on Android. The method fails to enforce sufficient constraints on resources it consumes when validating whether a caller and a target notification belong to the same application. An attacker can repeatedly invoke notification APIs in a manner that causes the service to exhaust memory or other system resources. Because NotificationManagerService runs inside the privileged system_server process, exhaustion produces a persistent denial of service that can disrupt notification delivery and affect overall device stability until the system process is restarted or the device is rebooted.
Root Cause
The root cause is a resource management defect classified as [CWE-400] Uncontrolled Resource Consumption. The isSameApp logic does not bound the work or allocations performed on behalf of a calling app, allowing an unprivileged local process to drive the service into a degraded state.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires local access through an installed application with standard application privileges. No user interaction is required. The malicious app issues crafted requests to the notification subsystem that repeatedly invoke the vulnerable code path, forcing resource exhaustion inside system_server. The effect persists across the runtime of the system process, qualifying the impact as a persistent denial of service. Confidentiality and integrity are not affected; only availability is impacted.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-48648
Indicators of Compromise
- Repeated crashes, restarts, or ANR events involving system_server or NotificationManagerService in logcat output.
- Notification delivery failures across multiple apps following the installation of a recently sideloaded or untrusted application.
- Sustained high memory pressure attributed to the system_server process in device telemetry.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor mobile device management (MDM) telemetry for abnormal rates of system service restarts on Android 14, 15, and 16 endpoints.
- Inspect installed application inventories for apps that request notification-related APIs disproportionately to their stated function.
- Correlate notification subsystem errors with the install or first-launch timestamp of newly deployed applications.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward Android bug reports and logcat excerpts to a centralized logging platform for review of NotificationManagerService exceptions.
- Track Android build fingerprints across the fleet to confirm the June 2026 security patch level is applied.
- Alert on repeated system_server low-memory or watchdog events that indicate possible exploitation attempts.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-48648
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the June 2026 Android security patch level (2026-06-01 or later) to all managed Android 14, 15, and 16 devices.
- Restrict installation of applications to vetted sources and enforce Google Play Protect on managed devices.
- Remove or quarantine recently installed applications that correlate with notification service instability.
Patch Information
Google published the fix in the Android Security Bulletin - June 2026. Device manufacturers distribute the corresponding patch through their normal over-the-air update channels. Administrators should confirm that affected devices report a security patch level of 2026-06-01 or later.
Workarounds
- Block sideloading and disable installation from unknown sources via MDM policy until patches are deployed.
- Limit notification-related permissions for non-essential applications where supported by enterprise policy.
- Reboot affected devices to recover availability if system_server enters a degraded state prior to patching.
# Verify the Android security patch level on a managed device
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch
# Expected output for patched devices: 2026-06-01 or later
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
