CVE-2018-12680: The Serialize.deserialize() method in CoAPthon 3.1, 4.0.0, 4.0.1, and 4.0.2 mishandles certain exceptions, lea

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HIGH 7.5REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2018-12680 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting coapthon. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Serialize.deserialize() method in CoAPthon 3.1, 4.0.0, 4.0.1, and 4.0.2 mishandles certain exceptions, leading to a denial of service in applications that use this library (e.g., the standard CoAP server, CoAP client, CoAP reverse proxy, example collect CoAP server and client) when they receive crafted CoAP messages.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.5% (top 26%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-502
Published	2019-04-02
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: coapthon project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-04-02 20:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:38 UTCUpdated Record last modified

coapthon project coapthon DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.1 · 4.0.0 · 4.0.1 · 4.0.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.1

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison coapthon sudo apt install coapthon=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.1> sudo apt-mark hold coapthon

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

dnf --showduplicates list coapthon sudo dnf downgrade coapthon-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.1> sudo dnf versionlock add coapthon

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-2018-12680?

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

Is CVE-2018-12680 being exploited?

CVE-2018-12680 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-2018-12680 affect?

CVE-2018-12680 affects coapthon. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). The Serialize.deserialize() method in CoAPthon 3.1, 4.0.0, 4.0.1, and 4.0.2 mishandles certain exceptions, leading to a denial of service in applications that use this library (e.g., the standard CoAP server, CoAP client, CoAP reverse proxy

How urgent is CVE-2018-12680?

Priority 55/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

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