Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2018-9395 is a high-severity Android kernel issue in MediaTek WLAN driver code. A local attacker with low privileges could potentially gain System-level execution without user interaction. The provided sources do not show active exploitation or a complete device list, so exposure must be confirmed per device and vendor build.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority legacy Android kernel exposure for fleets with older or unverified patch levels. Business urgency is highest where managed devices may run MediaTek WLAN kernel code and cannot demonstrate vendor patch coverage.
Technical view
The flaw is a CWE-787 out-of-bounds write caused by missing bounds checks in MediaTek WLAN functions mtk_cfg80211_vendor_packet_keep_alive_start and mtk_cfg80211_vendor_set_config in gl_vendor.c. CVSS 3.1 is 7.8, local vector, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Likely exposure is Android kernel builds that include the named MediaTek WLAN driver code and affected vendor integration. The source bundle identifies Google Android Kernel and a Pixel security bulletin reference, but does not provide a complete OEM, device, or version matrix.
Exploitation context
The CVE record describes local privilege escalation requiring System execution privileges and no user interaction. It is not in KEV, and the provided sources do not cite active exploitation, public exploit availability, or exploitation in the wild.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports an out-of-bounds write in MediaTek WLAN vendor cfg80211 handlers leading to local elevation of privilege. The bundle does not provide patch diff details, exploit status, or an affected-device matrix. Avoid assuming non-Pixel or OEM exposure without matching kernel code and vendor bulletin evidence.
Mitigation direction
- Check Google, Pixel, OEM, and chipset vendor guidance for CVE-2018-9395 coverage.
- Apply vendor-approved Android security updates for affected device and kernel builds.
- Prioritize managed devices with MediaTek WLAN kernel components.
- Limit untrusted local app installation on devices pending vendor confirmation.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Android devices by model, OEM, chipset, kernel build, and security patch level.
- Confirm whether kernel trees include the named MediaTek gl_vendor.c functions.
- Map device patch levels to the referenced June 2018 Pixel bulletin or OEM equivalent.
- Record devices where vendor guidance is absent as unresolved exposure.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-787: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2018-9395 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/pixel/2018-06-01CVE reference
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Out-of-bounds Write
Out-of-bounds Write represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.