CVE-2018-10832: ModbusPal 1.6b is vulnerable to an XML External Entity (XXE) attack

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MEDIUM 5.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2018-10832 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting modbuspal. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

ModbusPal 1.6b is vulnerable to an XML External Entity (XXE) attack. Projects are saved as .xmpp files and automations can be exported as .xmpa files, both XML-based, which are vulnerable to XXE injection. Sending a crafted .xmpp or .xmpa file to a user, when opened/imported in ModbusPal, will return the contents of any local files to a remote attacker.

Why this priority

EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	5.7% (top 7%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-611
Published	2018-05-11
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: modbuspal project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-05-11 21:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:34 UTCUpdated Record last modified

modbuspal project modbuspal DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.6 b

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.6

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison modbuspal sudo apt install modbuspal=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.6> sudo apt-mark hold modbuspal

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

dnf --showduplicates list modbuspal sudo dnf downgrade modbuspal-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.6> sudo dnf versionlock add modbuspal

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.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: ModbusPal 1.6b - XML External Entity Injection

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-2018-10832?

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

Is CVE-2018-10832 being exploited?

CVE-2018-10832 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-2018-10832 affect?

CVE-2018-10832 affects modbuspal. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). ModbusPal 1.6b is vulnerable to an XML External Entity (XXE) attack. Projects are saved as .xmpp files and automations can be exported as .xmpa files, both XML-based, which are vulnerable to XXE injection. Sending a crafted .xmpp or .xmpa f

How urgent is CVE-2018-10832?

Priority 48/100. EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

References

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