How severe is CVE-2018-21051?

CVE-2018-21051 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-2018-21051 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (54th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-21051?

CVE-2018-21051 primarily affects Google Android. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-21051?

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-2018-21051 published?

CVE-2018-21051 was published on 2020-04-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-21051

CVE-2018-21051 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-74.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 10.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (54th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-74
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) and O(8.x) (Exynos chipsets) software. There is an invalid free in the fingerprint Trustlet, leading to arbitrary code execution. The Samsung ID is SVE-2018-12853 (October 2018).

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-21051?: An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with N(7.x) and O(8.x) (Exynos chipsets) software. There is an invalid free in the fingerprint Trustlet, leading to arbitrary code execution. The Samsung ID is SVE-2018-12853 (October 2018).
How severe is CVE-2018-21051?: CVE-2018-21051 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-2018-21051 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (54th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-21051?: CVE-2018-21051 primarily affects Google Android. In total, 6 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-21051?: 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-2018-21051 published?: CVE-2018-21051 was published on 2020-04-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

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

Affected products (6)

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:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:google:android:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:google:android:8.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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