The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has escalated a newly discovered zero-day vulnerability in the Android Runtime component to high priority, citing active exploitation and the potential for severe local privilege escalation on Android devices.
Organizations and end users are urged to implement mitigations by September 25, 2025, to avert possible data breaches or device takeover.
CISA added the flaw—tracked as CVE-2025-48543—to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog.
The vulnerability stems from a use-after-free error in Android Runtime, the core engine responsible for executing applications on Android smartphones and tablets.
By exploiting this flaw, attackers can escape the Chrome sandbox, break isolation boundaries, and execute arbitrary code or elevate privileges to gain root-level access.
Technical Overview
A use-after-free vulnerability occurs when a program continues to reference memory after it has been deallocated, creating opportunities for memory corruption or code injection.
In this case, the bug resides within the memory management routines of Android Runtime.
An attacker could craft a malicious payload delivered via a compromised web page or malicious application to trigger the flaw, hijack control flow, and bypass security controls designed to contain web content within a restricted environment.
| Product | Vulnerability | CVE Reference | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android | Runtime Use-After-Free Vulnerability | CVE-2025-48543 | Android Runtime contains a use-after-free vulnerability, potentially allowing a Chrome sandbox escap,e leading to local privilege escalation. A use-after-free occurs when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed. |
The table above outlines key details of CVE-2025-48543, including how exploitation can lead to sandbox escape and full device compromise.
Android’s ubiquity—powering billions of devices worldwide—amplifies the risk.
A successful exploit not only grants full control over a mobile device but also exposes personal data, credentials, and installed applications to malicious actors.
This threat is especially acute for organizations handling sensitive information via Android-based endpoints or Android-connected cloud services.
Mitigation Steps
- Vendor Patches: Check for firmware or OS updates from device and chipset manufacturers.
- Configuration Hardening: Follow vendor guidance for tightening Android Runtime configurations.
- BOD 22-01 Logging and Monitoring: Implement CISA’s Binding Operational Directive 22-01 for enhanced audit trails of Android backend connections.
- Product Discontinuation: Temporarily retire impacted devices or services if no patch is available.
At present, there is no confirmed evidence linking CVE-2025-48543 to ransomware campaigns. However, its classification as a “high” severity flaw under the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS v3.1) underscores the urgent need for action.
CISA’s deadline of September 25, 2025, marks the cutoff for applying mitigations, after which unpatched systems remain vulnerable to unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and service disruption.
Proactive patching, rigorous configuration management, and adherence to federal security directives constitute the best defense against this critical Android Runtime zero-day.
Organizations and individual users must prioritize these measures immediately to safeguard mobile infrastructure.
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