HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2018-3986
MEDIUM

CVE-2018-3986

CWE-200Published: January 3, 2019· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

5.5
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

An exploitable information disclosure vulnerability exists in the "Secret Chats" functionality of the Telegram Android messaging application version 4.9.0. The "Secret Chats" functionality allows a user to delete all traces of a chat, either by using a time trigger or by direct request. There is a bug in this functionality that leaves behind photos taken and shared on the secret chats, even after the chats are deleted. These photos will be stored in the device and accessible to all applications installed on the Android device.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2018-3986 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.

Exploitation requires low privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), with a CVSS base score of 5.5.

From a weakness classification perspective (CWE-200): Information exposure vulnerabilities leak sensitive data to unauthorized actors.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.Low
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityNone
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Affected Vendors & Products

telegram1 product(s)
telegram
Source: NVD CPE · 1 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/106295
ADVISORYhttps://www.talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2018-0654
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/106295
ADVISORYhttps://www.talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2018-0654

All References (4)

→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/106295Broken Link · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
https://www.talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2018-0654Exploit · Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/106295Broken Link · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
https://www.talosintelligence.com/vulnerability_reports/TALOS-2018-0654Exploit · Third Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2018-3986
CVSS Score5.5 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-200
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedJan 3, 2019

Related CVEs (CWE-200)

CVE-2015-0987
10.0
CVE-2026-40965
10.0
CVE-2008-1155
10.0
CVE-2025-29270
10.0
CVE-2014-9162
10.0
CVE-2025-22612
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2018-3986 in threat intel feeds
  • →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWatch. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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