CVE-2025-48577: 
NixOS vulnerability analysis and mitigation

CVE-2025-48577 is an Android lockscreen bypass vulnerability caused by a race condition in multiple functions of KeyguardViewMediator.java. It affects Android versions 14.0, 15.0, and 16.0, and allows a local attacker with no special privileges to bypass the lockscreen and escalate privileges. The vulnerability was published on March 2, 2026, and addressed in the Android Security Bulletin for 2026-03-01. It carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.4 (High) (Android Security Bulletin, Red Hat CVE).

The vulnerability is classified as CWE-362 (Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization / Race Condition). It exists in multiple functions within KeyguardViewMediator.java, the Android component responsible for managing lockscreen state transitions. An attacker can exploit improper synchronization during lockscreen state changes to trigger a race condition that causes the lockscreen to be bypassed without requiring any elevated privileges or user interaction (Android Security Bulletin). The attack vector is local (physical or logical access to the device), and attack complexity is rated High due to the timing requirements inherent in race condition exploitation.

Successful exploitation allows a local attacker to bypass the Android lockscreen and gain unauthorized access to the device, leading to high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts. An attacker could read sensitive personal data, install malware, modify device settings, or perform further actions as the device owner — all without requiring any additional execution privileges (Android Security Bulletin, Red Hat CVE).

There is currently no public proof-of-concept exploit and no evidence of in-the-wild exploitation (Feedly). The EPSS score is extremely low at 0.000020, reflecting minimal current exploitation probability. The vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. No threat actor attribution has been reported at this time.

1. Physical or logical access: Obtain physical access to a target Android 14, 15, or 16 device that is locked with a screen lock (PIN, pattern, password, or biometric).
2. Trigger lockscreen state transition: Initiate an action that causes KeyguardViewMediator.java to process a lockscreen state change (e.g., incoming call, notification interaction, or rapid screen on/off cycling).
3. Exploit race condition: Time a concurrent operation to interfere with the lockscreen state synchronization logic during the transition window, causing the keyguard to dismiss or fail to re-engage.
4. Gain device access: If the race condition is won, the lockscreen is bypassed and the attacker gains full access to the unlocked device, enabling data exfiltration, malware installation, or settings modification (Android Security Bulletin).

Google has released a patch addressing this vulnerability in the Android Security Bulletin dated 2026-03-01, published March 2, 2026. Users and administrators should apply the March 2026 Android security update to all affected devices running Android 14.0, 15.0, or 16.0 as soon as it becomes available for their specific device models. Devices should be configured to receive security updates automatically where possible. No specific configuration-based workaround has been published (Android Security Bulletin, CIS Advisory).

The CIS (Center for Internet Security) issued an advisory noting multiple vulnerabilities in Google Android OS, including CVE-2025-48577, that could allow for privilege escalation (CIS Advisory). Red Hat also tracked the CVE in their security database. No significant independent researcher commentary or social media discussion has been identified beyond standard vulnerability tracking activity.