Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2018-9415 is an Android kernel issue where improper locking around driver override handling can cause a double free. The public record says it could let a local actor elevate privileges, requires System execution privileges, and does not require user interaction.
Executive priority
Treat as a maintenance-priority kernel privilege issue. It is not evidenced as actively exploited here, but it can matter on devices where an attacker or malicious app already reaches privileged local execution.
Technical view
The flaw is reported in driver_override_store and driver_override_show in bus.c. Improper locking can create a double-free condition in kernel driver override handling. The CVE describes local escalation of privilege against Android kernel, with System execution privileges needed.
Likely exposure
Primary exposure is Android devices running affected Android kernel code. Ubuntu advisories are referenced, but the provided bundle does not enumerate affected Ubuntu releases or package names. Confirm exposure against device vendor, Android, Pixel, and distribution kernel advisories.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not cite active exploitation, and KEV is false. Exploitation is described as local privilege escalation, not remote compromise. User interaction is not required, but the CVE states System execution privileges are needed.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to the CVE description and referenced advisories. Do not assume remote exploitability, affected non-Android products, or exploit availability from this bundle. The Ubuntu references indicate related kernel advisory context that should be checked directly.
Mitigation direction
- Check Android, Pixel, device vendor, and kernel distribution advisories for fixed builds.
- Apply vendor-provided kernel or security updates where applicable.
- Prioritize managed Android devices lacking July 2018 or later vendor security maintenance.
- Limit and monitor apps or services with System-level execution privileges.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Android devices and kernel build levels in fleet management tools.
- Compare device patch levels against the Pixel July 2018 bulletin and vendor advisories.
- For Linux distributions, review referenced Ubuntu USNs for affected package guidance.
- Confirm whether local System-level execution paths exist on exposed devices.
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.
CVE-2018-9415 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
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
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 and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- USN-3752-2CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_UBUNTU
- USN-3752-3CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_UBUNTU
- https://source.android.com/security/bulletin/pixel/2018-07-01CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- USN-3752-1CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_UBUNTU
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.