CVE-2025-26416
Published: 02 September 2025
Summary
CVE-2025-26416 is a critical-severity Heap-based Buffer Overflow (CWE-122) vulnerability in Google Android. Its CVSS base score is 9.8 (Critical).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploitation for Privilege Escalation (T1068); ranked in the top 12.5% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 RA-5 (Vulnerability Monitoring and Scanning) and SI-16 (Memory Protection).
Deeper analysis
CVE-2025-26416 is a heap buffer overflow vulnerability in the initializeSwizzler function of SkBmpStandardCodec.cpp within the Skia graphics library. The flaw permits an out-of-bounds write and carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8. It affects Android devices that incorporate the vulnerable Skia component, as documented in the Android security bulletin for April 2025.
A remote attacker can trigger the issue over the network with no authentication, user interaction, or additional execution privileges required. Successful exploitation grants the ability to escalate privileges on the target system, potentially leading to full compromise of the affected process or device.
The referenced Android security bulletin and the corresponding Skia commit at fc2ebb312c5898486776df981a51c2bb90e3756d describe the availability of patches that address the buffer overflow. The EPSS score remains flat at 0.0330 with no material increase after disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2025-26597
Vulnerability details
In initializeSwizzler of SkBmpStandardCodec.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a heap buffer overflow. This could lead to remote escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Heap buffer overflow in Skia enables remote unauthenticated exploitation for privilege escalation on Android.
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly requires identification, reporting, and correction of flaws like the heap buffer overflow in Skia via patching as detailed in the Android Security Bulletin.
Implements memory protections such as ASLR and DEP to prevent exploitation of the out-of-bounds write leading to remote privilege escalation.
Scans for vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-26416 in the system, enabling timely detection and prioritization for remediation.