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This vulnerability is a classic tapjacking or UI overlay attack targeting the Android operating system. It exploits the `SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW` or draw-over-other-apps permission, allowing a malicious application to create a transparent or deceptive overlay on top of critical system UI elements, such as permission grant dialogs. The overlay can capture all user touch (tap) events. When a user intends to interact with a legitimate button (e.g., “Deny”), their tap is intercepted by the invisible overlay and programmatically redirected to the underlying, hidden “Accept” or “Allow” button. This occurs without the user’s knowledge because the visual representation on screen (controlled by the malicious overlay) does not match the actual UI component receiving the input. Successful exploitation grants the malicious app permissions it should not have, leading to local privilege escalation from a standard user context to having granted significant system or sensitive permissions. The attack requires no special execution privileges to initiate, only the ability to run in the background and draw over apps, which is a common permission. No user interaction beyond the initial deceptive tap is needed for the core permission-granting action, making it efficient for attackers.
Platform: Android
Version: Multiple versions
Vulnerability : Tapjacking overlay
Severity: High
date: 12/08/2025
Prediction: Patch mid-December 2025
What Undercode Say:
Analytics
adb shell dumpsys package | grep -A5 -B5 SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW
Check for overlay apps adb shell appops get <package_name> SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW
Monitor UI hierarchy adb shell uiautomator dump /sdcard/window_dump.xml
How Exploit:
Malicious app requests `SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW`.
App runs background service.
Creates fully transparent overlay.
Overlay targets permission dialog.
Maps fake “Deny” UI.
Intercepts user tap event.
Forges click to “Allow”.
Privilege is escalated.
Protection from this CVE
Restrict `SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW`.
Use `FilterTouchesWhenObscured`.
Update Android security patch.
Educate users on permissions.
Impact:
Local privilege escalation.
Unauthorized permission grants.
Data theft potential.
System compromise.
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Sources:
Reported By: nvd.nist.gov
Extra Source Hub:
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