PatchTheCVECVE-2018-14879: The command-line argument parser in tcpdump before 4.9.3 has a buffer overflow in tcpdump.c:get_next_file().
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HIGH 7.0WATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEUPGRADE
CVE-2018-14879 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.0) affecting traffix signaling delivery controller, tcpdump, mac os x. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
The command-line argument parser in tcpdump before 4.9.3 has a buffer overflow in tcpdump.c:get_next_file().
Why this priority
- High severity
- EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited
- On your watchlist
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 7.0 (High) |
| Attack vector | Local |
| Attack complexity | High |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | Required |
| EPSS exploit chance | 4.7% (top 8%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-120 |
| 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
f5 traffix signaling delivery controller UPGRADE
Affected: >= 5.0.0 and <= 5.1.0
Fixed in: newer than 5.1.0
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.0.0
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy traffix-signaling-delivery-controller || rpm -q traffix-signaling-delivery-controller || traffix-signaling-delivery-controller --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 5.1.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade traffix-signaling-delivery-controller
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade traffix-signaling-delivery-controller
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison traffix-signaling-delivery-controller
sudo apt install traffix-signaling-delivery-controller=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0.0>
sudo apt-mark hold traffix-signaling-delivery-controller
3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list traffix-signaling-delivery-controller
sudo dnf downgrade traffix-signaling-delivery-controller-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0.0>
sudo dnf versionlock add traffix-signaling-delivery-controller
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.
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.
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-2018-14879?
traffix signaling delivery controller: upgrade to newer than 5.1.0; tcpdump: upgrade to 4.9.3; mac os x: upgrade to 10.15.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2018-14879 being exploited?
CVE-2018-14879 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-2018-14879 affect?
CVE-2018-14879 affects traffix signaling delivery controller, tcpdump, mac os x. Severity is high (CVSS 7.0). The command-line argument parser in tcpdump before 4.9.3 has a buffer overflow in tcpdump.c:get_next_file().
How urgent is CVE-2018-14879?
Priority 52/100. High severity; EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; On your watchlist
Software pages
Debian vulnerabilities · F5 BIG-IP vulnerabilities
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