CVE-2025-48543: Google Android Runtime use-after-free in system_server

CVE-2025-48543 · Severity: critical · CVSS 8.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2025-09-04

A critical vulnerability in the Android operating system allows an attacker to bypass security protections designed to isolate web browsing activities. By exploiting this flaw, a malicious application or compromised web process can gain elevated system-level privileges, potentially taking full control of the device. This vulnerability has been observed being used in real-world attacks.

Technologies: Google Android. Vendors: Android, Google.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2025-48543 exploited in the wild?
Yes. CVE-2025-48543 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 4 September 2025. Treat it as urgent.
How severe is CVE-2025-48543?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 4 September 2025.
Which products and versions are affected?
Google Android 13.0, 14.0, 15.0, 16.0.
Is there a fix for CVE-2025-48543?
No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.
How is CVE-2025-48543 attacked?
It is attacked with local access, in an operating system.
Am I affected by CVE-2025-48543?
Check whether you run Android Runtime or Google Android at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

Technical details

A use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability exists within the Android Runtime (ART) across multiple locations. An attacker can leverage this flaw to escape the Chrome browser sandbox and target the 'system_server' process. The exploit requires no user interaction and no additional execution privileges, resulting in a local escalation of privilege (EoP). This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2025-48543 and has been added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Google has released patches via the September 2025 Android Security Bulletin.

Affected products

  • Google Android 13.0, 14.0, 15.0, 16.0

Timeline

  • 2025-09-01: advisory: Vendor advisory published by Google in Android Security Bulletin
  • 2025-09-04: disclosed: CVE published to NVD
  • 2025-09-04: kev added: CISA added the vulnerability to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog

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