Google Fixes 107 Android Vulnerabilities, Including 2 Exploited in the Wild
Executive Summary
In June 2025, Google released a critical Android security update addressing 107 vulnerabilities across multiple subsystems, including Framework, System, and third-party vendor components such as Arm, MediaTek, and Qualcomm. Notably, two high-severity Framework vulnerabilities had been exploited in the wild prior to the patch, allowing attackers to potentially bypass defenses, execute code, or gain unauthorized access on unpatched devices. Attackers leveraged these flaws to target unsuspecting Android users before Google issued its advisory and fix, putting millions of devices at risk until users updated their software.
This incident highlights the ongoing risk posed by zero-day vulnerabilities in widely used mobile platforms and the rapidity with which sophisticated threat actors exploit unpatched systems. The urgency of timely patching is reinforced, as targeted attacks on mobile users remain an attractive vector for cybercriminals and APT groups alike.
Why This Matters Now
Android's ubiquity makes widely exploited vulnerabilities high-priority risks, especially when attackers actively leverage zero-days pre-patch. With increasingly complex mobile threat landscapes and a surge in supply chain and mobile-driven attacks, prompt security updating is critical to protecting both business and consumer data.
Attack Path Analysis
Attackers exploited in-the-wild Android framework vulnerabilities to achieve initial device access. Privilege escalation was gained by leveraging the vulnerabilities to obtain higher-level permissions within the Android OS. The adversaries then performed lateral movement, attempting to access additional system components or sensitive data. They established command and control by creating outbound communications to attacker infrastructure. Data exfiltration occurred through covert outbound channels, transmitting stolen data externally. Finally, the attackers could have caused impact by deploying malware, manipulating device configuration, or causing system instability.
Kill Chain Progression
Initial Compromise
Description
Adversaries exploited one of two Android framework vulnerabilities in the wild to compromise a mobile device, likely via malicious apps or crafted content.
Related CVEs
CVE-2025-48633
CVSS 7.4An information disclosure vulnerability in the Android Framework allows a local application to access sensitive data without proper authorization.
Affected Products:
Google Android – 13, 14, 15, 16
Exploit Status:
exploited in the wildCVE-2025-48572
CVSS 7.4An elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Android Framework allows a local application to execute arbitrary code with higher privileges.
Affected Products:
Google Android – 13, 14, 15, 16
Exploit Status:
exploited in the wildCVE-2025-48631
CVSS 9.8A critical vulnerability in the Android Framework could lead to remote denial of service with no additional execution privileges needed.
Affected Products:
Google Android – 13, 14, 15, 16
Exploit Status:
no public exploit
MITRE ATT&CK® Techniques
Exploitation for Privilege Escalation
Exploitation for Client Execution
Exploitation of Mobile Vulnerability
Credential Access via Exploitation of Vulnerability
Application Layer Protocol
Access Device Data via Exploitation
Data from Local System
Potential Compliance Exposure
Mapping incident impact across multiple compliance frameworks.
PCI DSS 4.0 – Security Patch Installation
Control ID: 6.2.3
NYDFS 23 NYCRR 500 – Cybersecurity Policy
Control ID: 500.03
DORA – ICT Risk Management Framework
Control ID: Article 10
CISA ZTMM 2.0 – Vulnerability Management for Endpoints
Control ID: 1.1.2
NIS2 Directive – Technical and Organisational Measures
Control ID: Article 21(2)
Sector Implications
Industry-specific impact of the vulnerabilities, including operational, regulatory, and cloud security risks.
Banking/Mortgage
Android vulnerabilities with wild exploitation threaten mobile banking apps, requiring immediate patching to protect financial transactions and customer data integrity.
Health Care / Life Sciences
Mobile healthcare applications face critical security risks from exploited Android framework bugs, potentially compromising patient data and HIPAA compliance requirements.
Government Administration
Government mobile devices and applications vulnerable to active Android exploits, creating national security risks and requiring emergency patch deployment protocols.
Financial Services
Mobile financial services platforms exposed to exploited Android vulnerabilities, demanding immediate security updates to prevent data breaches and regulatory violations.
Sources
- Google Patches 107 Android Flaws, Including Two Framework Bugs Exploited in the Wildhttps://thehackernews.com/2025/12/google-patches-107-android-flaws.htmlVerified
- Android Security Bulletin—December 2025https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/2025-12-01Verified
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Cataloghttps://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalogVerified
- Google patches 107 Android flaws, including two being actively exploitedhttps://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2025/12/google-patches-107-android-flawsVerified
Frequently Asked Questions
Cloud Native Security Fabric Mitigations and ControlsCNSF
Zero Trust segmentation, egress policy enforcement, encrypted traffic controls, and real-time threat detection could have significantly disrupted the attacker’s progression at multiple kill chain stages by limiting lateral movement, blocking malicious outbound communication, and detecting anomalous behaviors.
Control: Cloud Native Security Fabric (CNSF)
Mitigation: Inline policy enforcement reduces exposure to compromised or vulnerable surfaces.
Control: Zero Trust Segmentation
Mitigation: Limits exposure by enforcing least-privilege access and isolating system workloads.
Control: East-West Traffic Security
Mitigation: Blocks adversary's ability to move between workloads or services within internal environments.
Control: Egress Security & Policy Enforcement
Mitigation: Detects and blocks unauthorized or suspicious outbound connections.
Control: Encrypted Traffic (HPE)
Mitigation: Prevents unauthorized exfiltration by inspecting encrypted flows and enforcing policy at line-rate.
Enables real-time alerting and automated response to detected threats, limiting operational impact.
Impact at a Glance
Affected Business Functions
- Mobile Device Management
- Corporate Communications
- Data Security
Estimated downtime: 3 days
Estimated loss: $500,000
Potential unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data stored on compromised Android devices.
Recommended Actions
Key Takeaways & Next Steps
- • Prioritize rapid vulnerability patching for Android devices and enforce supply chain risk management.
- • Deploy east-west segmentation and microsegmentation to isolate workloads and prevent lateral attacker movement.
- • Enforce strict outbound egress policies and DNS/FQDN filtering to disrupt C2 and exfiltration attempts.
- • Implement high-performance packet encryption and traffic inspection to spot and block covert channels and sensitive data leaks.
- • Leverage continuous threat detection and anomaly response for early identification and containment of malicious activity.
