CVE-2018-15499: GEAR Software products that include GEARAspiWDM.sys, 2.2.5.0, allow local users to cause a denial of service (

Routine

MEDIUM 4.7DOWNGRADE

CVE-2018-15499 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.7) affecting gearaspiwdm. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

GEAR Software products that include GEARAspiWDM.sys, 2.2.5.0, allow local users to cause a denial of service (Race Condition and BSoD on Windows) by not checking that user-mode memory is available right before writing to it. A check is only performed at the beginning of a long subroutine.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.7 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 65%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-362
Published	2018-08-24
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: gearsoftware

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-08-24 19:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:42 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gearsoftware gearaspiwdm DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.2.5.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.2.5.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.2.5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison gearaspiwdm sudo apt install gearaspiwdm=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.2.5.0> sudo apt-mark hold gearaspiwdm

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

dnf --showduplicates list gearaspiwdm sudo dnf downgrade gearaspiwdm-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.2.5.0> sudo dnf versionlock add gearaspiwdm

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-2018-15499?

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

Is CVE-2018-15499 being exploited?

CVE-2018-15499 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-2018-15499 affect?

CVE-2018-15499 affects gearaspiwdm. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.7). GEAR Software products that include GEARAspiWDM.sys, 2.2.5.0, allow local users to cause a denial of service (Race Condition and BSoD on Windows) by not checking that user-mode memory is available right before writing to it. A check is only

How urgent is CVE-2018-15499?

Priority 30/100. Public exploit reference

Software pages

Windows vulnerabilities

References

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