How severe is CVE-2018-21038?

CVE-2018-21038 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2018-21038 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (40th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-21038?

CVE-2018-21038 primarily affects Google Android. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-21038?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2018-21038 published?

CVE-2018-21038 was published on 2020-04-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-21038

CVE-2018-21038 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Google Android with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-287.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (40th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-287
Affected product: Google Android
Published: 2020-04-08
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with N(7.x) software. The Secure Folder app's startup logic allows authentication bypass. The Samsung ID is SVE-2018-11628 (December 2018).

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-21038?: An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with N(7.x) software. The Secure Folder app's startup logic allows authentication bypass. The Samsung ID is SVE-2018-11628 (December 2018).
How severe is CVE-2018-21038?: CVE-2018-21038 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2018-21038 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (40th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-21038?: CVE-2018-21038 primarily affects Google Android. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-21038?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2018-21038 published?: CVE-2018-21038 was published on 2020-04-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://security.samsungmobile.com/securityUpdate.smsb

Affected products (4)

cpe:2.3:o:google:android:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:google:android:7.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:google:android:7.1.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:google:android:7.1.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Google Android

CVE-2026-0092 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): In Package Manager, there is a possible device lock controller bypass due to a missing permission check. This could…
CVE-2025-48611 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): In DeviceId of DeviceId.java, there is a possible desync in persistence due to a missing bounds check. This could lead…
CVE-2015-8073 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): mediaserver in Android 4.4 and 5.1 before 5.1.1 LMY48X allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a…
CVE-2015-8072 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): mediaserver in Android 4.4 through 5.x before 5.1.1 LMY48X and 6.0 before 2015-11-01 allows remote attackers to execute…
CVE-2015-6610 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): libstagefright in Android before 5.1.1 LMY48X and 6.0 before 2015-11-01 allows attackers to gain privileges or cause a…
CVE-2015-6609 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): libutils in Android before 5.1.1 LMY48X and 6.0 before 2015-11-01 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or…

All CVEs affecting Google Android →

Other CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-45480 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Active Directory allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a network.
CVE-2026-46389 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): UDS Identity Config builds the Keycloak configuration image (realm, plugins, theme, truststore, JARs) consumed by UDS…
CVE-2026-10611 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in MISP when LDAP mixed authentication is enabled with OTP enforcement.…
CVE-2026-47280 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Resource Manager (ARM) allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges over a…
CVE-2026-42822 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper authentication in Azure Local Disconnected Operations allows an unauthorized attacker to elevate privileges…
CVE-2026-20182 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): May 2026: This security advisory provides the details and fix information for a vulnerability that was discovered and…

Browse all CWE-287 (Improper Authentication) vulnerabilities →