Is CVE-2018-16132 actively exploited?

No active exploitation of CVE-2018-16132 has been confirmed so far. Continue monitoring, as exploit status can change.

Can CVE-2018-16132 be exploited remotely?

Yes. CVE-2018-16132 is exploitable remotely over the network (CVSS attack vector: Network).

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2018-16132?

CVE-2018-16132 has a CVSS score of 8.6 (HIGH).

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HIGH

CVE-2018-16132

CWE-400Published: August 29, 2018· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

8.6

CVSS v3.1

Official Description

The image rendering component (createGenericPreview) of the Open Whisper Signal app through 2.29.0 for iOS fails to check for unreasonably large images before manipulating received images. This allows for a large image sent to a user to exhaust all available memory when the image is displayed, resulting in a forced restart of the device.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2018-16132 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 availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 8.6.

The vulnerability has a "Changed" scope, meaning successful exploitation can impact components beyond the vulnerable component itself — such as the host operating system or adjacent services.