CVE-2018-14987

What it is

The MXQ TV Box 4.4.2 Android device with a build fingerprint of MBX/m201_N/m201_N:4.4.2/KOT49H/20160106:user/test-keys contains the Android framework with a package name of android (versionCode=19, versionName=4.4.2-20170213) that dynamically registers a broadcast receiver app component named com.android.server.MasterClearReceiver instead of statically registering it in the AndroidManifest.xml file of the core Android package, as done in Android Open Source Project (AOSP) code for Android 4.4.2. The dynamic-registration of the MasterClearReceiver broadcast receiver app component is not protected with the android.permission.MASTER_CLEAR permission during registration, so any app co-located on the device, even those without any permissions, can programmatically initiate a factory reset of the device. A factory reset will remove all user data and apps from the device. This will result in the loss of any data that have not been backed up or synced externally. The capability to perform a factory reset is not directly available to third-party apps (those that the user installs themselves with the exception of enabled Mobile Device Management (MDM) apps), although this capability can be obtained by leveraging an unprotected app component of core Android process.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.3% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.

Timeline

1. 2018-12-28 21:29 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 01:42 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.3% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 7.1 HIGH (CVSS).
• Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.

Details

Published

2018-12-28 21:29 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 01:42 UTC

Exploit probability

0.3% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-732 · Incorrect permission assignment

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Mxq Project Mxq Tv Box Firmware 4.4.2

Attack profile CVSS 3.0 · 7.1

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2018-14987.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2018-14987. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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