Android Framework Integer Overflow (Privilege Escalation Zero-Day)

Overview

CVE-2025-48595 is an elevation-of-privilege vulnerability in the Android Framework, the core system layer that mediates between apps and the lower-level operating system services. The root cause is an integer overflow that, in multiple code locations, opens a path to code execution. Critically, exploitation leads to local privilege escalation with no additional execution privileges and no user interaction required, meaning a malicious or compromised application already present on the device can leverage it to break out of its sandbox and gain elevated control.

Google addressed the flaw in the Android security updates carrying the 2026-06 patch level and indicated there are signs the issue may be under limited, targeted exploitation, a phrasing the company reserves for active abuse against high-value targets. The vulnerability affects devices running Android 14 and later. CISA added CVE-2025-48595 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on June 2, 2026 with a remediation deadline of June 5, 2026, an unusually short window that underscores the urgency.

Technical Details

An integer overflow (CWE-190) occurs when an arithmetic operation produces a value too large for the integer type holding it, wrapping around to an unexpectedly small or negative number. When such a miscalculated value is subsequently used to size a buffer, index an array, or bound a copy, it can defeat length checks and lead to out-of-bounds memory access and, ultimately, controlled corruption that yields code execution. Because the affected code lives in the Android Framework, which runs with elevated system privileges, a successful exploit elevates the attacker from an unprivileged app context to that higher-privileged context.

The CVSS data published via NVD (CISA-ADP) assigns a base score of 8.4 (High) with vector CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. The Local attack vector reflects that the attacker must already be running code on the device (typically via a malicious app), while PR:None and UI:None capture that no special privileges and no user interaction are needed once that foothold exists. The high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability follows from gaining system-level privileges. The fix is delivered in the June 2026 Android security updates, at the 2026-06-01 (and 2026-06-05) security patch levels.

Impact

• Local elevation of privilege from an unprivileged app to a system-level context, with no user interaction required.
• Enables a malicious or compromised app to escape its sandbox and gain extensive control over the device.
• Reported by Google as possibly under limited, targeted exploitation, consistent with use in spyware or targeted-intrusion chains against high-profile individuals.
• Affects a broad population of devices running Android 14, 15, and 16 until the June 2026 patch level is applied.

Mitigation

1. Apply the Android security update with the 2026-06-05 patch level (or at minimum 2026-06-01) on all affected devices as soon as the device manufacturer makes it available.
2. Verify the patch level under Settings > Security & privacy > Updates > Android security update (path varies by OEM); it must read 2026-06-01 or later.
3. For managed fleets, enforce the minimum security patch level through your mobile device management (MDM) platform and block or quarantine devices that have not yet received it.
4. Until patched, restrict installation of apps to vetted sources only, keep Google Play Protect enabled, and remove unused or untrusted applications that could serve as the local foothold this bug requires.
5. Retire devices that no longer receive Android security updates; Federal Civilian Executive Branch agencies were required to remediate by June 5, 2026 under CISA BOD 22-01.

Detection

Detection of an Android Framework privilege-escalation zero-day is challenging because the malicious activity executes on-device and at a layer with little exposed telemetry, so the first line of defense is patch-level assurance. Use MDM reporting to inventory the Android security patch level of every device and flag anything earlier than 2026-06-01 as vulnerable. Because this is a Framework-level (rather than vendor-specific) fix, the relevant patch level applies across OEMs, but you must still confirm that each manufacturer has actually shipped the June 2026 update to its models, as rollout timing varies widely.

Since exploitation requires a malicious app already running locally, app-vetting and behavioral monitoring are the highest-value detective controls. Ensure Google Play Protect is enabled on all devices and consider a mobile threat-defense (MTD) agent that can scan installed apps and flag known-malicious packages, sideloaded APKs, and apps requesting anomalous permission sets. MTD and EDR-for-mobile products can also surface runtime indicators of privilege escalation, such as a normally unprivileged app suddenly performing actions that imply system-level access, unexpected child-process creation, or attempts to read protected files or other apps' data.

For active-threat hunting, treat any device flagged by Play Protect or an MTD agent for a suspicious app as a candidate for compromise and isolate it for analysis. Where the exploit is part of a spyware chain, look for the second-stage behaviors typical of surveillance implants: anomalous network beaconing to recently registered domains, elevated battery and data usage, and persistence mechanisms. Ingest any indicators of compromise that Google or downstream researchers publish for the targeted campaign tied to this CVE and alert on the associated infrastructure in network logs. Given Google's limited, targeted exploitation language, prioritize monitoring for high-risk users (executives, journalists, government staff) and preserve affected devices for forensic imaging when a compromise is suspected.