CVE-2025-48617: Android CarrierConfigLoader Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Technical summary

CVE-2025-48617 is a local privilege escalation vulnerability in the overrideConfig method of CarrierConfigLoader.java (Android framework). The flaw stems from improper UID enforcement during configuration override operations. An unprivileged process can bypass the intended permission checks through a logic error, achieving elevated privileges within the security context. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) reflects a local attack surface with low complexity and no user interaction required, yielding confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Business impact

Organizations operating Android devices face a material risk of in-device privilege escalation attacks. A compromised or malicious app could escalate beyond its sandbox to access or modify carrier-level configurations, intercept communications, alter device behavior, or access sensitive data. For enterprises managing fleets of Android devices (BYOD, corporate-owned, or IoT), this represents a path to insider threats and lateral movement within corporate networks if the device syncs data or credentials.

Affected systems

Google Android devices are impacted. The vulnerability resides in core framework code (CarrierConfigLoader), so the affected scope depends on which Android versions contain the vulnerable code path. Verify the specific Android release versions affected by consulting the official Google Android Security & Privacy Year in Review or the Android Security Advisory—this source data does not specify version constraints, so patch advisory documentation must be consulted to determine your device inventory's risk.

Exploitability

This vulnerability is relatively straightforward to exploit. An attacker needs only local code execution as an unprivileged user (which any installed app can achieve), and the permission bypass is unconditional—no additional privileges, no user interaction, and no special device state are required. The low attack complexity means an exploit can be reliable and repeatable. However, exploitation requires the malicious app to be installed and running on the target device, so distribution and social engineering remain prerequisites.

Remediation

Apply the security patch issued by Google for CVE-2025-48617. Device owners should enable automatic system updates and check for pending Android security updates immediately. Organizations should prioritize patching given the HIGH severity rating and the ease of local exploitation. For devices unable to receive patches, consider restricting app installation policies and monitoring for suspicious permission grants or carrier configuration changes.

Patch guidance

Consult Google's official Android Security Advisory for CVE-2025-48617 to identify the specific Android versions containing the fix and the corresponding security patch level or monthly update version. Apply patches as soon as they become available through your device manufacturer's OTA update channel or through manual system updates via Settings. Verify patch deployment across your managed device fleet before considering the vulnerability remediated.

Detection guidance

Monitor for suspicious app behavior that attempts to access or modify CarrierConfigLoader or carrier configuration files (typically under /data/misc/carrier or similar protected paths). On managed devices, use Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions to flag apps requesting unusual permissions or attempting framework-level code execution. Look for anomalous configuration changes in carrier settings that deviate from expected baseline. Security logs may reveal UID/GID mismatches during carrier config operations if detailed SELinux auditing is enabled.

Why prioritize this

This vulnerability merits immediate attention due to its HIGH CVSS score (7.8), unrestricted exploitability (no special privileges or user interaction needed), and placement in core Android framework code used by many system functions. Any Android device running the vulnerable version is at risk of local privilege escalation, making it a critical control gap. Organizations should treat this as a priority patch candidate alongside other framework-level LOCAL privilege escalations.

Risk score, explained

The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8 (HIGH) reflects: local attack vector (requires device access but no network), low attack complexity (straightforward exploitation), low privileges required (unprivileged app), no user interaction, unchanged scope, and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The score appropriately captures the practical risk: while not remotely exploitable, the trivial barrier to local exploitation and the critical nature of the compromised component (privilege escalation) warrant a high severity rating.

Frequently asked questions