Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2018-9398 is a high-severity Android kernel issue in the MediaTek FM radio driver. Bad input validation could allow an out-of-bounds write and local privilege escalation. The sources do not show remote exploitation or active exploitation evidence.
Executive priority
Treat as high priority for fleets containing older or unpatched MediaTek-based Android devices. Business urgency is lower where devices are current, vendor-supported, and patched beyond June 2018.
Technical view
The issue is in fm_set_stat in the MediaTek FM radio driver and is classified as CWE-787. CVSS 3.1 is 7.8: local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Android devices using the affected MediaTek FM radio kernel driver. The bundle lists Google Android Kernel but does not enumerate device models, OEM builds, or non-Pixel patch availability.
Exploitation context
The provided sources describe local privilege escalation and no required user interaction. They do not provide evidence of public exploitation, CISA KEV listing, remote reachability, or weaponized exploit availability.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to the CVE record and Pixel security bulletin reference. Do not assume affected device models beyond the stated Android kernel and MediaTek FM radio driver context without OEM confirmation.
Mitigation direction
- Apply the relevant Android or Pixel June 2018 security update where applicable.
- Check OEM and chipset vendor guidance for affected MediaTek-based Android devices.
- Prioritize replacement or isolation for devices that cannot receive kernel security updates.
- Maintain controls limiting untrusted local app installation on exposed Android devices.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Android devices for MediaTek chipsets and FM radio driver support.
- Verify Android security patch level against the June 2018 Pixel bulletin guidance.
- Check vendor firmware advisories for model-specific fixes or exposure statements.
- Confirm vulnerable devices are not unmanaged or outside mobile device management coverage.
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
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Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2018-9398 mapping review
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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.