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CVE Record

CVE-2018-21042: An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with N(7.x), O(8.x), and P(9.0) software.

An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with N(7.x), O(8.x), and P(9.0) software. Dual Messenger allows installation of an arbitrary APK with resultant privileged code execution. The Samsung ID is SVE-2018-13299 (December 2018).

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This CVE concerns Samsung mobile devices running Android 7.x, 8.x, or 9.0 software. A Dual Messenger flaw could allow an arbitrary APK to be installed and run with privileged code execution. Public scoring and detailed product lists are absent in the supplied sources, so urgency should be based on whether these older Samsung devices remain in use.

Executive priority

Prioritize discovery over emergency response unless affected legacy Samsung devices are still business-critical. Privileged code execution is serious, but the supplied evidence lacks active exploitation, scoring, and model-specific exposure detail.

Technical view

CVE-2018-21042 maps to Samsung SVE-2018-13299 from December 2018. The reported issue is in Dual Messenger and allows arbitrary APK installation with resultant privileged code execution on Samsung mobile devices with N, O, and P software. The supplied CVE data includes no CVSS vector, CWE, specific model list, or exploit detail.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most plausible where Samsung mobile devices still run Android N 7.x, O 8.x, or P 9.0 software and retain Dual Messenger capability. The source bundle does not identify exact models, carrier builds, or patched firmware levels.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or other cited evidence of active exploitation. It also does not provide public exploit status. Treat this as a privileged code execution concern requiring inventory validation, not as confirmed exploited in the wild.

Researcher notes

Key gaps are CVSS, CWE, affected model matrix, fixed build identifiers, and exploit telemetry. The CVE text is concise and vendor-referenced; avoid assuming non-Samsung Android exposure or specific remediation beyond Samsung’s update guidance.

Mitigation direction

  • Check Samsung guidance for SVE-2018-13299 in the December 2018 security update.
  • Apply Samsung-supported firmware or security updates where vendor guidance confirms applicability.
  • Identify and retire unsupported affected-version Samsung devices where updates are unavailable.
  • Limit business use of devices with unverified patch status.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Samsung mobile devices by OS version and security patch level.
  • Confirm whether devices run Android 7.x, 8.x, or 9.0 software.
  • Check Samsung update guidance for SVE-2018-13299 applicability.
  • Record patched, unsupported, and unknown devices separately for remediation tracking.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
3

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2018-21042 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.