Executive Summary

Google has released its November 2025 Android Security Bulletin, addressing a critical zero-click remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-48593. This flaw is the most severe issue fixed in the update, as it allows for remote exploitation with no user interaction and no additional execution privileges required. The vulnerability impacts a wide range of devices running Android versions 13, 14, 15, and 16. A successful exploit could lead to a full compromise of the targeted device. All Android users are strongly advised to apply the 2025-11-01 security patch level or later as soon as their device manufacturer makes it available.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability, CVE-2025-48593, is a critical RCE flaw located in the core Android System component. Its most dangerous characteristic is its "zero-click" nature, meaning a victim does not need to click a link, open a file, or perform any other action to be compromised. The attack can be initiated remotely, making it an ideal tool for sophisticated threat actors conducting espionage or surveillance.

• CVE ID: CVE-2025-48593
• Severity: Critical
• Attack Vector: Remote
• User Interaction: None
• Privileges Required: None

Additionally, the November bulletin patches CVE-2025-48581, a high-severity elevation of privilege vulnerability that is specific to Android 16.

Affected Systems

The CVE-2025-48593 vulnerability affects the following Android versions:

• Android 13
• Android 14
• Android 15
• Android 16

This wide range of affected versions means that hundreds of millions, if not billions, of devices are potentially vulnerable until patched.

Exploitation Status

As of the time of disclosure, Google has not reported any evidence of active exploitation in the wild. However, due to the critical nature and zero-click attack vector, it is highly probable that threat actors will begin developing exploits for this vulnerability. The public disclosure serves as a starting gun for both defenders to patch and attackers to reverse-engineer the fix.

Impact Assessment

A successful exploit of CVE-2025-48593 could grant an attacker complete control over a target device. This would allow them to:

• Read emails, messages, and other sensitive data.
• Access photos, contacts, and location data.
• Activate the microphone and camera for surveillance.
• Install additional malware, such as spyware or ransomware.
• Use the compromised device to attack other systems on the same network.

The lack of required user interaction makes this flaw particularly dangerous, as users have no way to actively avoid an attack.

Cyber Observables for Detection

Detecting a zero-click exploit is notoriously difficult for end-users. For security teams managing mobile device fleets:

Detection Methods

The primary method for determining risk is to check the device's patch level.

• Asset Inventory: Use a Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution to query the Android security patch level of all managed devices. Create a report of all devices with a patch level earlier than 2025-11-01.
• On-Device Check: Users can manually check their patch level by navigating to Settings > About phone > Android version > Android security update.

Remediation Steps

The only effective remediation is to apply the security update.

1. Patch Immediately: Users should install the November 2025 security update as soon as it is available for their device. The rollout schedule varies by manufacturer (e.g., Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus) and carrier.
2. Enforce Patching Policies: Organizations using MDM/UEM should enforce policies that require devices to be updated within a specific timeframe to maintain access to corporate resources.
3. Vendor Communication: Google notified its Android partners about the vulnerability a month in advance. Organizations should engage with their device vendors to understand their specific patching timeline. This is a direct application of D3FEND's D3-SU - Software Update.