Our analysts at the usd HeroLab discovered during their pentests that a locally installed malicious app can cause the Android application Element X (up to version 25.04.2) to load a manipulated website.
This website inherits similar permissions as the app itself and, depending on the configuration, may automatically be granted temporary access to the microphone and camera. The vulnerability is caused by an improperly exported component within the app. The call can be triggered by another inconspicuous application that can easily be distributed via app stores. This enables a realistic phishing attack, including unauthorized audio and video recordings of the victim.
The vulnerability was reported to the vendor as part of our Responsible Disclosure Policy and has been fixed in version 25.04.2. Detailed information on the security advisory is available here:
| ID | Product | Vulnerability Type |
| usd-2025-0010 | Element X Android | Improper Export of Android Application Components (CWE-926) |
About usd HeroLab Security Advisories
In order to protect businesses against hackers and criminals, we must ensure that our skills and knowledge are up to date at all times. Therefore, security research is just as important to our work as is building up a security community to promote an exchange of knowledge. After all, more security can only be achieved if many people take on the task.
We analyze attack scenarios, which are changing constantly, and publish a series of Security Advisories on current vulnerabilities and security issues – always in line with our Responsible Disclosure Policy.
Always in the name of our mission: “more security.”
