CVE-2018-14650: It was discovered that sos-collector does not properly set the default permissions of newly created files, mak

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MEDIUM 5.9WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2018-14650 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.9) affecting sos-collector, enterprise linux desktop, enterprise linux server. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

It was discovered that sos-collector does not properly set the default permissions of newly created files, making all files created by the tool readable by any local user. A local attacker may use this flaw by waiting for a legit user to run sos-collector and steal the collected data in the /var/tmp directory.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.9 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 63%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-732, CWE-276
Published	2018-09-27
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: redhat · sos-collector project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-09-27 20:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:41 UTCUpdated Record last modified

sos-collector project sos-collector DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.4

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.4

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy sos-collector || rpm -q sos-collector || sos-collector --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison sos-collector sudo apt install sos-collector=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4> sudo apt-mark hold sos-collector

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

dnf --showduplicates list sos-collector sudo dnf downgrade sos-collector-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.4> sudo dnf versionlock add sos-collector

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.

redhat enterprise linux desktop 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 server 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 server aus MITIGATE

Affected: 7.6

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.6

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 eus MITIGATE

Affected: 7.6

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.6

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: 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.

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-2018-14650?

sos-collector: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux desktop: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux server: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-14650 being exploited?

CVE-2018-14650 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-2018-14650 affect?

CVE-2018-14650 affects sos-collector, enterprise linux desktop, enterprise linux server. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.9). It was discovered that sos-collector does not properly set the default permissions of newly created files, making all files created by the tool readable by any local user. A local attacker may use this flaw by waiting for a legit user to ru

How urgent is CVE-2018-14650?

Priority 40/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

References

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