CVE-2018-1083: Zsh before version 5.4.2-test-1 is vulnerable to a buffer overflow in the shell autocomplete functionality

Q: How do I fix CVE-2018-1083?

zsh: upgrade to newer than 5.4.1; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2018-1083 being exploited?

CVE-2018-1083 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2018-1083 affect?

CVE-2018-1083 affects zsh, ubuntu linux, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Zsh before version 5.4.2-test-1 is vulnerable to a buffer overflow in the shell autocomplete functionality. A local unprivileged user can create a specially crafted directory path which leads to code execution in the context of the user who

Q: How urgent is CVE-2018-1083?

Priority 44/100. High severity; On your watchlist

This month

HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2018-1083 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting zsh, ubuntu linux, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Zsh before version 5.4.2-test-1 is vulnerable to a buffer overflow in the shell autocomplete functionality. A local unprivileged user can create a specially crafted directory path which leads to code execution in the context of the user who tries to use autocomplete to traverse the before mentioned path. If the user affected is privileged, this leads to privilege escalation.

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 52%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-120, CWE-119
Published	2018-03-28
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: canonical · debian · redhat · zsh

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-03-28 13:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:50 UTCUpdated Record last modified

zsh zsh UPGRADE

Affected: <= 5.4.1

Fixed in: newer than 5.4.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 5.4.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade zsh

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade zsh

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 14.04 · 16.04 · 17.10

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 14.04

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

redhat enterprise linux desktop MITIGATE

Affected: 6.0 · 7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

redhat enterprise linux server MITIGATE

Affected: 6.0 · 7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

redhat enterprise linux workstation MITIGATE

Affected: 6.0 · 7.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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-2018-1083?

zsh: upgrade to newer than 5.4.1; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-1083 being exploited?

CVE-2018-1083 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-2018-1083 affect?

CVE-2018-1083 affects zsh, ubuntu linux, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). Zsh before version 5.4.2-test-1 is vulnerable to a buffer overflow in the shell autocomplete functionality. A local unprivileged user can create a specially crafted directory path which leads to code execution in the context of the user who

How urgent is CVE-2018-1083?

Priority 44/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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