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CVE-2025-48591 exploits missing permission checks in Android’s multi-user framework. In Android, each user has isolated storage under directories like /data/user/. When applications or system services handle file access requests, they must validate the calling user’s permissions against the target user’s files. However, due to flaws in multiple components—such as the MediaProvider, StorageManager, or file system drivers—these permission checks are omitted. This allows a malicious application running under one user to directly read files belonging to another user without any additional privileges. The vulnerability can be triggered through APIs that handle file URIs, content providers, or intents, where user identity is not properly verified. Kernel-level access control might also fail to enforce user isolation if user IDs are incorrectly mapped. This bypass enables unauthorized reading of sensitive data, including personal media, app databases, and configuration files. Since no user interaction is required, exploitation can occur passively in the background. The issue stems from inadequate validation in cross-user file operations, compromising the security boundaries that protect user data. This vulnerability underscores critical lapses in permission enforcement within multi-user operating systems.
Platform: Android
Version: Multiple versions
Vulnerability: Local information disclosure
Severity: Medium
Date: 12/08/2025
Prediction: December 2025 patch
What Undercode Say:
Analytics:
$ adb shell $ ls -la /data/user/ $ cat /proc/self/status $ pm list users $ dumpsys activity providers
// Example code accessing files without permission check
File file = new File("/data/user/10/shared_data");
InputStream is = new FileInputStream(file);
How Exploit:
Malicious app uses vulnerable APIs to read other user files via intent or content provider calls, bypassing permission checks.
Protection from this CVE:
Apply Android security updates. Enforce strict permission checks. Use SELinux policies.
Impact:
Unauthorized data access. Privacy breach. Information leakage.
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Sources:
Reported By: nvd.nist.gov
Extra Source Hub:
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