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CVE Record

CVE-2018-9474: In writeToParcel of MediaPlayer.java, there is a possible serialization/deserialization mismatch due to imp...

In writeToParcel of MediaPlayer.java, there is a possible serialization/deserialization mismatch due to improper input validation. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.

HighCVSS 8.4Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2018-9474 is a high-severity Android local privilege escalation issue. A flaw in MediaPlayer serialization handling could let local code gain elevated privileges without user interaction or prior privileges. Business urgency is highest for fleets still running affected Android versions without the relevant Android security update.

Executive priority

Treat this as a high-priority mobile endpoint hygiene issue, especially for older Android fleets. The local attack requirement lowers broad remote exposure, but the no-interaction and no-privilege conditions increase concern on compromised or app-exposed devices.

Technical view

The issue is an improper input validation weakness in Android MediaPlayer.java writeToParcel, described as a serialization/deserialization mismatch and mapped to CWE-502. The CVSS 3.1 vector is local, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Android 7, 8, 8.1, 9, and listed Android development branches where the relevant vendor security update is absent. The source bundle does not identify specific OEM builds or device models.

Exploitation context

The CVE source states exploitation is local, needs no user interaction, and needs no additional execution privileges. The source bundle does not cite active exploitation, and KEV status is false, so active exploitation should not be assumed.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE record and Android security bulletin reference. Do not infer affected OEM firmware, public exploit availability, or exact patch levels beyond vendor documentation. Focus validation on Android version, patch provenance, and whether vendor guidance maps to CVE-2018-9474.

Mitigation direction

  • Check Google and OEM guidance for CVE-2018-9474 coverage.
  • Prioritize security updates for affected Android 7, 8, 8.1, and 9 devices.
  • Retire or isolate devices that cannot receive vendor security updates.
  • Use MDM controls to limit untrusted app installation on exposed devices.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Android OS versions and security patch levels across managed devices.
  • Confirm vendor bulletins or release notes mention CVE-2018-9474 coverage.
  • Identify unmanaged or unsupported Android devices in sensitive environments.
  • Track remediation exceptions for devices stuck on affected versions.
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

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cwe · medium confidence lookup

CWE-502: Code execution behavior lookup

Code execution and unsafe deserialization weaknesses often justify reviewing execution behavior and process telemetry. 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 lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2018-9474 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

Open ATT&CK lookup
Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
8.4 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
8.4CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.55.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

8.4High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2018-9474Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
GoogleAndroid7, 8, 8.1, 9, nyc-mr1-dev, nyc-mr2-devunaffected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-502

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.