CVE-2018-9524 Privilege escalation in Android

What is CVE-2018-9524?

CVE-2018-9524 is a high-severity vulnerability in Google Android, published on 14 Nov 2018. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

Official description

In functionality implemented in System UI, there are insufficient protections implemented around overlay windows. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is needed for exploitation. Product: Android. Versions: Android-7.0 Android-7.1.1 Android-7.1.2 Android-8.0 Android-8.1. Android ID: A-34170870

Weakness: CWE-1021

Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-9524?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Google Android.

How do I fix CVE-2018-9524?

No fix has been published for CVE-2018-9524 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Is CVE-2018-9524 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-9524 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Other vulnerabilities in Google Android

• CVE-2026-58704 Google Pixel Improper Authorization Exploited High 8.8
• CVE-2025-48543 Android Runtime Use-After-Free Exploited High 8.8
• CVE-2023-35674 Android Framework Privilege Escalation Exploited High 8.8
• CVE-2025-48595 Android Framework Integer Overflow Exploited High 8.4
• CVE-2024-32896 Android Pixel Privilege Escalation Exploited High 8.1

All Google Android vulnerabilities

Sources

• CVE record
• NVD
• OSV
• GitHub advisory
• How this page is made

Also known as GHSA-rhpq-gc3g-23vr.