MEDIUM
CVE-2018-18521
CWE-369Published: October 19, 2018· Updated: Jun 17, 2026
5.5
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
Divide-by-zero vulnerabilities in the function arlib_add_symbols() in arlib.c in elfutils 0.174 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) with a crafted ELF file, as demonstrated by eu-ranlib, because a zero sh_entsize is mishandled.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2018-18521 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation does not require any privileges, though user interaction (Required) is needed, which slightly reduces the risk of mass automated attacks.
A successful exploit results in availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 5.5.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Affected Vendors & Products
Canonical1 product(s)
ubuntu linux
Debian1 product(s)
debian linux
elfutils_project1 product(s)
elfutils
openSUSE1 product(s)
leap
Red Hat3 product(s)
enterprise linux desktopenterprise linux serverenterprise linux workstation
Source: NVD CPE · 11 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
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/4012-1/
ADVISORYhttps://usn.ubuntu.com/4012-1/
All References (14)
→
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-06/msg00052.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:2197Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/02/msg00036.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/10/msg00030.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=23786Exploit · Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
https://sourceware.org/ml/elfutils-devel/2018-q4/msg00055.htmlMailing List · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4012-1/Third Party Advisory
→
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-06/msg00052.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:2197Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/02/msg00036.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/10/msg00030.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=23786Exploit · Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
https://sourceware.org/ml/elfutils-devel/2018-q4/msg00055.htmlMailing List · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4012-1/Third Party Advisory
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2018-18521
CVSS Score5.5 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-369
CISA KEVNo
Affected5 vendor(s)
PublishedOct 19, 2018
Related CVEs (CWE-369)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2018-18521 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.