CVE-2017-18681Public exploit

Code execution via unchecked boot-image copies

Published Apr 7, 2020 · Updated Aug 5, 2024

Buffer overflows in Samsung Galaxy S5 bootloader software through 2016-12-20 allow physically proximate attackers to execute arbitrary code. The ODIN update_kernel_in_bootimg function passes unvalidated download lengths and attacker-controlled image-header sizes to memcpy operations, enabling memory corruption in aboot. Exploitation requires physical access, Download mode, T-Flash mode, and crafted USB and SD-card boot images; it bypasses Secure Boot and can expose unencrypted device data.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability1.46%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Buffer overflows in Samsung Galaxy S5 bootloader software through 2016-12-20 allow physically proximate attackers to execute arbitrary code. The ODIN update_kernel_in_bootimg function passes unvalidated download lengths and attacker-controlled image-header sizes to memcpy operations, enabling memory corruption in aboot. Exploitation requires physical access, Download mode, T-Flash mode, and crafted USB and SD-card boot images; it bypasses Secure Boot and can expose unencrypted device data.

The record

CVE
CVE-2017-18681
Published
Apr 7, 2020
Updated
Aug 5, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-120
Attack vector
physical
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 7, 2020CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 5, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorphysical
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
10.0NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorphysical
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-120Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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