CVE-2018-9401
Published: 18 January 2025
Summary
CVE-2018-9401 is a high-severity Incorrect Default Permissions (CWE-276) vulnerability in Google Android. Its CVSS base score is 7.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploitation for Privilege Escalation (T1068); ranked at the 5.6th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SC-39 (Process Isolation) and SI-10 (Information Input Validation).
Deeper analysis
CVE-2018-9401 is a vulnerability stemming from an incorrect bounds check that enables access to kernel memory from user space in multiple locations. It affects Android software, particularly Pixel devices as detailed in the associated security bulletin. The issue, tied to CWE-276, allows for local escalation of privilege without requiring additional execution privileges or user interaction, earning a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
A local attacker with low privileges, such as one running a malicious app, can exploit this vulnerability to read kernel memory and elevate privileges. Successful exploitation grants high-impact control over confidentiality, integrity, and availability, potentially leading to full device compromise.
The Android security bulletin for Pixel devices, published on June 1, 2018, addresses CVE-2018-9401 with patches to correct the bounds check and prevent kernel memory access from user space.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2018-20995
Vulnerability details
In many locations, there is a possible way to access kernel memory in user space due to an incorrect bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed…
more
for exploitation.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
Direct local kernel memory access from user space enables privilege escalation without additional privileges or interaction.
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Directly addresses the incorrect bounds check by requiring validation of user inputs to kernel interfaces, preventing unauthorized kernel memory access from user space.
Implements memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization to mitigate bounds check failures enabling kernel memory exposure.
Enforces separate execution domains for user space processes and kernel, blocking privilege escalation via direct kernel memory access despite flawed bounds checks.