PatchTheCVECVE-2018-14466: The Rx parser in tcpdump before 4.9.3 has a buffer over-read in print-rx.c:rx_cache_find() and rx_cache_insert
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HIGH 7.5REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEMITIGATE
CVE-2018-14466 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting tcpdump, mac os x, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
The Rx parser in tcpdump before 4.9.3 has a buffer over-read in print-rx.c:rx_cache_find() and rx_cache_insert().
Why this priority
- High severity
- EPSS top 9%: 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 | 7.5 (High) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 4.0% (top 9%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-125 |
| Published | 2019-10-03 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-17 |
Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
tcpdump tcpdump UPGRADE
Affected: < 4.9.3
Fixed in: 4.9.3
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy tcpdump || rpm -q tcpdump || tcpdump --version
2. UPGRADE to 4.9.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade tcpdump
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade tcpdump
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
apple mac os x UPGRADE
Affected: < 10.15.2
Fixed in: 10.15.2
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
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 · 9.0 · 10.0
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.
fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE
Affected: 29 · 30 · 31
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 29
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.
opensuse leap MITIGATE
Affected: 15.0 · 15.1
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 15.0
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 MITIGATE
Affected: 7.0 · 8.0
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.
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.
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-2018-14466?
tcpdump: upgrade to 4.9.3; mac os x: upgrade to 10.15.2; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2018-14466 being exploited?
CVE-2018-14466 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-2018-14466 affect?
CVE-2018-14466 affects tcpdump, mac os x, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). The Rx parser in tcpdump before 4.9.3 has a buffer over-read in print-rx.c:rx_cache_find() and rx_cache_insert().
How urgent is CVE-2018-14466?
Priority 59/100. High severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist
Software pages
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