HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2018-16118
HIGH

CVE-2018-16118

CWE-78Published: June 20, 2019· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

8.1
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

A shell escape vulnerability in /webconsole/APIController in the API Configuration component of Sophos XG firewall 17.0.8 MR-8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via shell metachracters in the "X-Forwarded-for" HTTP header.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2018-16118 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 8.1.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityHigh
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

sophos2 product(s)
sfosxg firewall
Source: NVD CPE · 6 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

PATCHhttps://github.com/klsecservices/Advisories/blob/master/KL-SOPHOS-2018-003.md
PATCHhttps://github.com/klsecservices/Advisories/blob/master/KL-SOPHOS-2018-003.md
ADVISORYhttps://community.sophos.com/kb/en-us/132637
ADVISORYhttps://www.sophos.com/en-us/legal/sophos-responsible-disclosure-policy.aspx
ADVISORYhttps://community.sophos.com/kb/en-us/132637
ADVISORYhttps://www.sophos.com/en-us/legal/sophos-responsible-disclosure-policy.aspx

All References (6)

→
https://community.sophos.com/kb/en-us/132637Vendor Advisory
→
https://github.com/klsecservices/Advisories/blob/master/KL-SOPHOS-2018-003.mdPatch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.sophos.com/en-us/legal/sophos-responsible-disclosure-policy.aspxVendor Advisory
→
https://community.sophos.com/kb/en-us/132637Vendor Advisory
→
https://github.com/klsecservices/Advisories/blob/master/KL-SOPHOS-2018-003.mdPatch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.sophos.com/en-us/legal/sophos-responsible-disclosure-policy.aspxVendor Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2018-16118
CVSS Score8.1 / 10
SeverityHIGH
WeaknessCWE-78
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedJun 20, 2019

Related CVEs (CWE-78)

CVE-2012-5863
10.0
CVE-2015-2845
10.0
CVE-2013-6881
10.0
CVE-2009-1916
10.0
CVE-2013-0804
10.0
CVE-2015-2844
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2018-16118 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.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.
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