Overview
The CVE-2025-26444 vulnerability refers to a bug in the onHandleForceStop function of VoiceInteractionManagerService.java. This bug could cause the system to incorrectly switch back to the default assistant application when a user-selected assistant is forcibly stopped due to a logic error. This could lead to local privilege escalation, potentially compromising the system or leading to data leakage.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-26444
Severity: High (7.8 CVSS score)
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Not required
Impact: Local escalation of privilege leading to potential system compromise or data leakage.
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
Android | Pie, Oreo, Nougat
Google Assistant | All versions prior to patch
How the Exploit Works
The exploit works by taking advantage of a logic error in the onHandleForceStop function of VoiceInteractionManagerService.java. This error can be triggered when a user-selected assistant is forcibly stopped, causing the system to incorrectly revert to the default assistant application. In this state, the default assistant application is automatically granted ROLE_ASSISTANT, leading to a local privilege escalation.
Conceptual Example Code
This is a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited. This pseudocode demonstrates the triggering of a forced stop on a user-selected assistant, causing the system to revert to the default assistant application.
VoiceInteractionManagerService voiceService = getVoiceService();
voiceService.onHandleForceStop();
voiceService.setDefaultAssistant();
voiceService.grantRoleAssistant();
Mitigation
To mitigate this vulnerability, it is recommended to apply the latest patch provided by the vendor. If the patch cannot be applied immediately, a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can be used as temporary mitigation.

