Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2018-9402 is a high-severity Android kernel flaw. Missing bounds checks in multiple gl_proc.c functions can allow a buffer overwrite, potentially letting an attacker gain kernel-level privileges. The source bundle does not identify a specific exploit in the wild.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority mobile fleet hygiene issue, especially for legacy Android devices. The business risk is privilege escalation into the kernel, but available evidence does not show known active exploitation.
Technical view
The issue is classified as CWE-120 and affects Android kernel code in gl_proc.c. The CVSS 3.1 vector is AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating adjacent-network reachability, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, and high impact if successfully exploited.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant to Android or Pixel devices running affected kernel builds not covered by the June 2018 Pixel security bulletin or later vendor-confirmed fixes. The bundle does not provide exact kernel versions, device models, or commit-level fix details.
Exploitation context
CISA KEV status is false, and the provided sources do not report active exploitation. The CVSS vector suggests an adjacent attacker model rather than remote internet-scale exploitation, but successful exploitation could compromise kernel confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Researcher notes
The public bundle is sparse: it gives the vulnerable file, bug class, impact, CVSS vector, and Android/Pixel bulletin reference, but no exploit details, affected device list, fixed commit, or build identifiers. Avoid over-scoping beyond Android kernel exposure.
Mitigation direction
- Apply vendor-supported Android security updates covering the June 2018 Pixel bulletin.
- Confirm device OEMs backported the relevant kernel fix to supported models.
- Prioritize unsupported Android devices for replacement or isolation.
- Restrict exposure to untrusted adjacent networks where practical.
- Monitor vendor advisories for device-specific remediation details.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Android devices, models, kernel builds, and patch levels.
- Map devices against vendor guidance for the June 2018 Pixel bulletin.
- Confirm whether vendor kernels include the vulnerable gl_proc.c component.
- Validate MDM compliance reports for minimum Android security patch levels.
- Document unsupported or unverifiable devices as residual risk.
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-120: 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-2018-9402 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
- 8.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/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:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/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.
Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.