CVE-2025-48595: Android Framework Integer Overflow — CISA KEV Detection & Response

On June 2, 2026, CISA added two vulnerabilities to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog based on evidence of active exploitation: CVE-2022-0492 (Linux Kernel) and CVE-2025-48595 (Android Framework). While CVE-2022-0492 represents a persistent risk in containerized environments, the inclusion of CVE-2025-48595 is particularly alarming for mobile fleet security. This post focuses on the immediate defensive actions required for CVE-2025-48595, a high-severity flaw in the Android Framework currently being leveraged by threat actors in the wild.

Under Binding Operational Directive (BOD) 22-01, federal agencies are required to remediate these vulnerabilities by the mandated deadlines. For private sector defenders, the addition to the KEV catalog serves as a critical signal: this is not theoretical; it is happening now.

Technical Analysis

CVE-2025-48595: Android Framework Integer Overflow Vulnerability

• Affected Products: Android Framework (specific versions pending vendor disclosure; impacts multiple OEMs).
• CVE Identifier: CVE-2025-48595
• Vulnerability Type: Integer Overflow leading to Remote Code Execution (RCE).
• Exploitation Status: Confirmed Active Exploitation (CISA KEV).

The Deficit: The vulnerability resides within the Android Framework, specifically within a core component handling data processing or input validation. An integer overflow occurs when a calculation attempts to create a numeric value that is outside of the range that can be represented with a given number of bits. In this context, the overflow bypasses bounds checks, allowing an attacker to corrupt memory.

The Attack Chain:

1. Initial Vector: Attackers deliver a malicious payload, likely crafted within a specific file type (e.g., image, font, or processed message) or a network packet targeting a privileged service.
2. Trigger: The Android Framework parses the malformed input. The integer overflow logic error triggers, writing data past the allocated buffer boundary.
3. Control Flow Hijacking: The memory corruption allows the attacker to overwrite critical pointers (e.g., return addresses or function pointers).
4. Execution: The attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary code within the context of the vulnerable framework process (often running with system-level privileges).
5. Objectives: With system privileges, the actor can install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate SMS/call logs, access credential storage, or disable security controls (like MDM profiles).

Detection & Response

Detecting exploitation of framework-level integer overflows is challenging. By the time the crash occurs or the shell spawns, the boundary has already been breached. Therefore, we focus on detecting the effects of successful exploitation: anomalous process spawning and privilege escalation patterns.

SIGMA Rules

The following Sigma rules target the post-exploitation behavior on Android endpoints, assuming logs are forwarded to a centralized SIEM (e.g., via Splunk Connect for Kubernetes, Elastic Beats, or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint).

---
title: Android Framework Spawning Shell
description: Detects Android framework processes spawning a shell, indicative of successful RCE or privilege escalation.
references:
  - https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2026/06/02/cisa-adds-two-known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog
author: Security Arsenal
date: 2026/06/03
status: experimental
tags:
  - attack.execution
  - attack.t1059.004
logsource:
  product: android
  category: process_creation
detection:
  selection:
    ParentImage|contains:
      - '/system/bin/'
      - '/system/framework/'
      - 'system_server'
    Image|endswith:
      - '/sh'
      - '/bash'
      - '/su'
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Legitimate developer debugging via ADB
level: high
---
title: Suspicious ADB Connection During Non-Admin Hours
description: Detects ADB server enablement or connection, which often occurs post-exploitation to maintain access.
references:
  - https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1219/
author: Security Arsenal
date: 2026/06/03
status: experimental
tags:
  - attack.command_and_control
  - attack.t1219
logsource:
  product: android
  category: network_connection
detection:
  selection:
    DestinationPort: 5555
    Initiated: 'true'
  filter:
    User|contains: 'admin' # Adjust based on org policy
  condition: selection and not filter
falsepositives:
  - Authorized IT debugging
level: medium

KQL (Microsoft Sentinel / Defender)

Hunt for suspicious process lineage on Android devices ingested into Microsoft Sentinel via DeviceProcessEvents.

DeviceProcessEvents
| where Timestamp > ago(7d)
| where OSPlatform == "Android"
| where ProcessCommandLine contains "sh" or ProcessCommandLine contains "bash"
| where InitiatingProcessFileName in~ ("system_server", "zygote", "zygote64", "android.process.acore")
| project Timestamp, DeviceName, AccountName, FileName, ProcessCommandLine, InitiatingProcessFileName
| order by Timestamp desc

Velociraptor VQL

Velociraptor artifact to hunt for shell processes spawned by system binaries on rooted or compromised Android endpoints.

-- Hunt for suspicious shell processes spawned by framework components
SELECT Pid, Ppid, Name, Exe, Cwd, Username, Cmdline
FROM pslist()
WHERE Name =~ 'sh'
  AND Ppid IN (
    SELECT Pid FROM pslist() WHERE Name =~ 'system_server' OR Exe =~ '/system/framework/'
  )

Remediation Script

Use this Bash script (intended for use via an MDM command runner or ADB shell) to verify the Android Security Patch Level. Devices must be updated to a patch level that includes the fix for CVE-2025-48595 (consult your vendor's specific security bulletin for the exact date).

#!/bin/bash

# Check Android Security Patch Level
PATCH_DATE=$(getprop ro.build.version.security_patch)
echo "Current Security Patch Level: $PATCH_DATE"

# Define minimum required patch date (Update based on Vendor Bulletin for CVE-2025-48595)
# Example format: YYYY-MM-DD
REQUIRED_PATCH="2026-05-01"

if [[ "$PATCH_DATE" < "$REQUIRED_PATCH" ]]; then
    echo "[VULNERABLE] Device is below the required security patch level for CVE-2025-48595."
    echo "Action Required: Apply latest Android Security Update immediately."
    exit 1
else
    echo "[COMPLIANT] Device patch level meets requirements."
    exit 0
fi

Remediation

1. Patch Immediately: Apply the latest Android Security Update provided by your device manufacturer. CVE-2025-48595 requires a patch to the framework itself; workarounds are unlikely to be fully effective against code execution.
2. Verify Compliance: Use the script above to confirm the ro.build.version.security_patch property reflects the patch that addresses this CVE.
3. Review MDM Policies: Ensure your Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution enforces minimum OS versions and prevents the sideloading of untrusted applications that could serve as the initial vector.
4. Network Segmentation: In cases where patching is delayed, strictly limit mobile access to sensitive internal resources.

Vendor Resources:

• Android Security Bulletins: https://source.android.com/security/bulletin
• CISA KEV Catalog: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog

Related Resources

Security Arsenal Penetration Testing Services AlertMonitor Platform Book a SOC Assessment vulnerability-management Intel Hub