Android DevicePolicyManagerService Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability (CVE-2025-48633) Security Advisory
Executive & SecOps Summary
SECOPS ASSESSMENTAndroid OS devices utilizing the DevicePolicyManagerService component
Local attackers can exploit a logic error to register a Device Owner after provisioning, leading to local privilege escalation (EoP) without user interaction
Apply the official Google Android December 2025 security patch or the latest OEM firmware update immediately
Affected Products & Version Scope
Remediation & Live Workaround Commands
PATCH & WORKAROUND1. Official Patch & Version Upgrade Commands
Apply the latest system updates provided by your device manufacturer. For Android platform developers and builders, sync and cherry-pick the official patch from the Android Open Source Project (AOSP):
# Fetch and apply the official security patch in the Android source tree
cd frameworks/base
git fetch https://android.googlesource.com/platform/frameworks/base d00bcda9f42dcf272d329e9bf9298f32af732f93
git cherry-pick d00bcda9f42dcf272d329e9bf9298f32af732f932. Temporary Workaround & Hardening Configuration
If immediate patching is not feasible, restrict local attack vectors by disabling USB debugging and blocking untrusted application installations via enterprise MDM policies.
# Disable USB debugging via ADB to mitigate local access vectors
adb shell settings put global adb_enabled 03. Log Audit & IoC Verification Commands
Verify if an unauthorized package has registered itself as the Device Owner by executing the following ADB command:
# Inspect the current Device Owner configuration on the target device
adb shell dumpsys device_policy | grep -E 'Device Owner:|Owner:'Block Exploits Instantly with Managed Virtual Patching Rules
Can't patch production immediately? Deploy managed WAF rules at the edge to intercept RCE, SQLi, and deserialization payloads before they hit your origin server.
Technical Root Cause & Exploitation Mechanics
1. Vulnerability Overview & Root Cause
This vulnerability (CVE-2025-48633) exists in the hasAccountsOnAnyUser method of DevicePolicyManagerService.java within the Android framework. Due to a logic error in the code, the system fails to properly restrict Device Owner registration after the initial device provisioning phase is completed. This input and state validation flaw (CWE-20) allows unauthorized local applications to bypass critical security boundaries.
2. Exploitation Mechanics & Attack Scenario
A local attacker with low privileges (PR:L) can execute a malicious application on the target device. The application interacts with the DevicePolicyManagerService to trigger the vulnerable hasAccountsOnAnyUser logic. Because of the validation bypass, the service incorrectly permits the registration of a new Device Owner post-provisioning. This attack requires no additional execution privileges and zero user interaction (UI:N), granting the attacker full administrative control over the device.
3. Infrastructure & Business Impact
As this vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, active exploitation in the wild has been confirmed. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to obtain Device Owner privileges, enabling them to bypass Mobile Device Management (MDM) policies, install arbitrary malicious payloads, intercept sensitive corporate data, and compromise the entire mobile fleet infrastructure.
Official Vendor Advisories & References
In hasAccountsOnAnyUser of DevicePolicyManagerService.java, there is a possible way to add a Device Owner after provisioning due to a logic error in the code. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
Frequently Asked SecOps Questions (CVE-2025-48633)
FAQQ1. How critical is CVE-2025-48633 and is it actively exploited in the wild?
CVE-2025-48633 is rated CVSS 5.5 (MEDIUM) with a 30-day EPSS exploitation probability of 0.3%. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring immediate emergency remediation.
Q2. Which vendors and products are affected by CVE-2025-48633?
Primary impacted vendors include google, android across android. Scope summary: Android OS (All devices with security patch levels prior to December 2025 containing the vulnerable DevicePolicyManagerService)
Q3. What temporary mitigations or workarounds exist for CVE-2025-48633 before patching?
[Mitigation] Apply the official Google Android December 2025 security patch or the latest OEM firmware update immediately Follow the CLI remediation commands and interactive SecOps checklist on this page to restrict exposure prior to your maintenance window.
Generate an Internal Engineering Notice or CISO Report for CVE-2025-48633
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