Overview
In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, vulnerabilities are often discovered in the most unexpected of places. One such vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-36904, has been found in the WLAN of Google Pixel devices running Android versions before the 2025-09-05 update. This vulnerability is significant because it allows for elevation of privilege, essentially providing an attacker with the ability to gain unauthorized access to the device. This could lead to potential system compromise or data leakage, posing a serious threat to the security and privacy of the user.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-36904
Severity: Critical (9.8 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Elevation of privilege leading to potential system compromise or data leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
Google Pixel | Android versions before 2025-09-05
How the Exploit Works
This exploit leverages a flaw in the WLAN component of Android running on Google Pixel devices. An attacker needs to trick the user into connecting to a malicious network. Once connected, the attacker can exploit this vulnerability to escalate their privileges on the device. With increased permissions, they can execute unauthorized actions, potentially leading to system compromise or data leakage.
Conceptual Example Code
Below is a conceptual code snippet illustrating how a malicious payload might be sent to a compromised device:
# Establish connection with the target device
nc -nv [target IP address] [port]
# Send malicious payload
echo "{ \"malicious_payload\": \"...\" }" | nc -nv [target IP address] [port]Mitigation and Recommendations
Addressing this vulnerability requires applying the vendor-supplied patch. It is strongly recommended that all users of affected Google Pixel devices update their Android version immediately. If the patch cannot be applied promptly, users can mitigate the risk by using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to monitor and block suspicious network activity. However, this solution is only temporary and users should still apply the patch as soon as possible.
In addition to these measures, users should be cautious of unfamiliar networks and avoid connecting to them whenever possible, as this vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited. This combined approach will help ensure that the user’s device remains secure against this potentially damaging vulnerability.
Stay secure and keep your devices updated!
