CVE-2018-10171: Kromtech MacKeeper 3.20.4 suffers from a root privilege escalation vulnerability through its `com.mackeeper.Ad

This month

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2018-10171 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting mackeeper. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Kromtech MacKeeper 3.20.4 suffers from a root privilege escalation vulnerability through its `com.mackeeper.AdwareAnalyzer.AdwareAnalyzerPrivilegedHelper` component. The AdwareAnalzyerPrivilegedHelper tool implements an XPC service that allows an unprivileged application to connect and execute shell scripts as the root user.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.8% (top 22%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-732
Published	2019-06-05
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: kromtech

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-06-05 22:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:33 UTCUpdated Record last modified

kromtech mackeeper DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.20.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.20.4

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy mackeeper || rpm -q mackeeper || mackeeper --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.20.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison mackeeper sudo apt install mackeeper=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.20.4> sudo apt-mark hold mackeeper

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list mackeeper sudo dnf downgrade mackeeper-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.20.4> sudo dnf versionlock add mackeeper

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2018-10171?

mackeeper: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-10171 being exploited?

CVE-2018-10171 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2018-10171 affect?

CVE-2018-10171 affects mackeeper. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Kromtech MacKeeper 3.20.4 suffers from a root privilege escalation vulnerability through its `com.mackeeper.AdwareAnalyzer.AdwareAnalyzerPrivilegedHelper` component. The AdwareAnalzyerPrivilegedHelper tool implements an XPC service that all

How urgent is CVE-2018-10171?

Priority 59/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

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