HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2018-7738
HIGH

CVE-2018-7738

NVD-CWE-noinfoPublished: March 7, 2018· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

7.8
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

In util-linux before 2.32-rc1, bash-completion/umount allows local users to gain privileges by embedding shell commands in a mountpoint name, which is mishandled during a umount command (within Bash) by a different user, as demonstrated by logging in as root and entering umount followed by a tab character for autocompletion.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2018-7738 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), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 7.8.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorLocal
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.Low
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

kernel1 product(s)
util-linux
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

PATCHhttps://bugs.debian.org/892179
PATCHhttps://github.com/karelzak/util-linux/commit/75f03badd7ed9f1dd951863d75e756883d3acc55
PATCHhttps://bugs.debian.org/892179
PATCHhttps://github.com/karelzak/util-linux/commit/75f03badd7ed9f1dd951863d75e756883d3acc55
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/103367
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/karelzak/util-linux/issues/539
ADVISORYhttps://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4134
ADVISORYhttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/103367
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/karelzak/util-linux/issues/539
ADVISORYhttps://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4134

All References (13)

→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/103367Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
https://bugs.debian.org/892179Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/karelzak/util-linux/commit/75f03badd7ed9f1dd951863d75e756883d3acc55Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/karelzak/util-linux/issues/539Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4512-1/
→
https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4134Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/103367Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
https://bugs.debian.org/892179Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/karelzak/util-linux/commit/75f03badd7ed9f1dd951863d75e756883d3acc55Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/karelzak/util-linux/issues/539Issue Tracking · Third Party Advisory
→
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20241213-0002/
→
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4512-1/
→
https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4134Third Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2018-7738
CVSS Score7.8 / 10
SeverityHIGH
WeaknessNVD-CWE-noinfo
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedMar 7, 2018

Related CVEs (NVD-CWE-noinfo)

CVE-2017-14470
10.0
CVE-2017-14469
10.0
CVE-2018-4872
10.0
CVE-2018-2611
10.0
CVE-2018-4091
10.0
CVE-2017-14471
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2018-7738 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.
← All Vulnerabilities·Search for CVE-2018-7738·NVD