CVE-2018-11780: A potential Remote Code Execution bug exists with the PDFInfo plugin in Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.2.

Q: How do I fix CVE-2018-11780?

spamassassin: upgrade to 3.4.2; pdfinfo: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2018-11780 being exploited?

CVE-2018-11780 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-2018-11780 affect?

CVE-2018-11780 affects spamassassin, pdfinfo, ubuntu linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). A potential Remote Code Execution bug exists with the PDFInfo plugin in Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.2.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2018-11780?

Priority 68/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2018-11780 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting spamassassin, pdfinfo, ubuntu linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A potential Remote Code Execution bug exists with the PDFInfo plugin in Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.2.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	10.8% (top 4%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-94
Published	2018-09-17
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Apache Software Foundation · Vendor: apache · canonical · debian · pdfinfo project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-09-17 14:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:36 UTCUpdated Record last modified

apache spamassassin UPGRADE

Affected: < 3.4.2

Fixed in: 3.4.2

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 3.4.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade spamassassin

Note

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

pdfinfo project pdfinfo MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE

Affected: 12.04 · 14.04 · 16.04 · 18.04

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12.04

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: 8.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

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-2018-11780?

spamassassin: upgrade to 3.4.2; pdfinfo: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-11780 being exploited?

CVE-2018-11780 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-2018-11780 affect?

CVE-2018-11780 affects spamassassin, pdfinfo, ubuntu linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). A potential Remote Code Execution bug exists with the PDFInfo plugin in Apache SpamAssassin before 3.4.2.

How urgent is CVE-2018-11780?

Priority 68/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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