Local privilege escalation via callable hidden AppSearch API
Published Sep 4, 2025 · Updated Feb 26, 2026
Protection mechanism failure in AppSearch on Google Android 15 allows local users to gain privileges by launching a background activity. AppSearchManagerService.executeAppFunction processes calls to a hidden, never-launched API instead of rejecting them, allowing an attacker-controlled request to reach background activity launch logic. A locally installed low-privilege app can invoke the hidden API without user interaction; the resulting launch crosses Android's background-execution boundary.
Summary
What happened
Protection mechanism failure in AppSearch on Google Android 15 allows local users to gain privileges by launching a background activity. AppSearchManagerService.executeAppFunction processes calls to a hidden, never-launched API instead of rejecting them, allowing an attacker-controlled request to reach background activity launch logic. A locally installed low-privilege app can invoke the hidden API without user interaction; the resulting launch crosses Android's background-execution boundary.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2025-26464
- Published
- Sep 4, 2025
- Updated
- Feb 26, 2026
- Vendor
- Google Cloud
- Product
- Android
- Classifications
- CWE-693, T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Sep 4, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Feb 26, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
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- Affected versionversion=15
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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