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CVE Record

CVE-2018-21050: An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with N(7.x) and O(8.X) (Exynos chipsets) software.

An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with N(7.x) and O(8.X) (Exynos chipsets) software. There is a Buffer overflow in the esecomm Trustlet, leading to arbitrary code execution. The Samsung ID is SVE-2018-12852 (October 2018).

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This CVE describes a buffer overflow in Samsung’s esecomm Trustlet on Exynos-based Samsung mobile devices running Android 7.x or 8.x software. The reported impact is arbitrary code execution, which is serious because trustlet code is security-sensitive. Public source data does not provide CVSS, exploit evidence, or detailed patch mechanics.

Executive priority

Treat this as a legacy mobile fleet risk. It is not KEV-listed and lacks public exploit evidence, but arbitrary code execution in a security-sensitive Samsung component warrants prompt validation and removal of unsupported exposed devices.

Technical view

CVE-2018-21050 maps to Samsung SVE-2018-12852 from October 2018. The flaw is a buffer overflow in the esecomm Trustlet affecting Samsung mobile devices with N and O software on Exynos chipsets. The CVE states arbitrary code execution, but does not publish prerequisites, attack vector, or affected model list.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely in legacy Samsung Exynos mobile fleets still running Android 7.x or 8.x-era firmware. The source bundle does not identify specific models, carriers, or CPEs, so asset validation must rely on device inventory and Samsung guidance.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not report active exploitation, and CISA KEV status is false. The available record confirms arbitrary code execution potential but lacks public detail on exploitability, privileges required, user interaction, or remote versus local reachability.

Researcher notes

The public record is sparse: no CVSS, CWE, CPE, model list, or exploit prerequisites are supplied. Analysis should stay anchored to Samsung SVE-2018-12852 and the October 2018 Samsung mobile security update context.

Mitigation direction

  • Check Samsung guidance for SVE-2018-12852 and CVE-2018-21050.
  • Update affected Samsung devices to vendor-supported firmware with the relevant security fixes.
  • Retire or isolate unsupported Android 7.x and 8.x Samsung Exynos devices.
  • Prioritize managed devices used for sensitive business access.
  • Restrict corporate access from devices lacking validated security patch status.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Samsung mobile devices by chipset, model, Android version, and patch level.
  • Identify devices running Android 7.x or 8.x software on Exynos chipsets.
  • Compare device firmware status against Samsung guidance for SVE-2018-12852.
  • Confirm mobile device management can report OS and security patch levels.
  • Document unsupported devices requiring replacement or access restriction.
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-2018-21050 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.