PatchTheCVECVE-2018-16402: libelf/elf_end.c in elfutils 0.173 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (double free and appli
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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE
CVE-2018-16402 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting elfutils, debian linux, enterprise linux desktop. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
libelf/elf_end.c in elfutils 0.173 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (double free and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact because it tries to decompress twice.
Why this priority
- Critical severity
- Public exploit reference
- Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
- On your watchlist
A fixed release or distro patch exists.
Risk facts
| CVSS score | 9.8 (Critical) |
| Attack vector | Network (remote) |
| Attack complexity | Low |
| Privileges needed | None |
| User interaction | None |
| EPSS exploit chance | 3.7% (top 10%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Weakness | CWE-415 |
| Published | 2018-09-03 |
| 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
elfutils project elfutils DOWNGRADE
Affected: 0.173
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.173
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy elfutils || rpm -q elfutils || elfutils --version
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.173 (Debian / Ubuntu)
apt-cache madison elfutils
sudo apt install elfutils=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.173>
sudo apt-mark hold elfutils
2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
dnf --showduplicates list elfutils
sudo dnf downgrade elfutils-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.173>
sudo dnf versionlock add elfutils
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.
debian debian linux MITIGATE
Affected: 9.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0
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 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 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.
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.
Exact fixes by distribution
A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.
Fedora 46 · copyparty · FIXED · 1.20.26-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-8fbe18458e · source
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-8fbe18458e
Fedora ELN · man-pages · FIXED · 6.20-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-f1f5fb11b4 · source
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-f1f5fb11b4
Ubuntu 22.04 · elfutils · NOT AFFECTED
Ubuntu 20.04 · elfutils · NOT AFFECTED
Debian 12 · elfutils · FIXED · 0.175-1
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade elfutils
dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' elfutils)" ge "0.175-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE
Debian 13 · elfutils · FIXED · 0.175-1
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade elfutils
dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' elfutils)" ge "0.175-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE
RHEL 7 · elfutils · FIXED · elfutils-0.176-2.el7
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2019:2197
rpm -q elfutils
RHEL 7.6 Extended Update Support · elfutils · FIXED · elfutils-0.172-4.el7_6
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2020:1471
rpm -q elfutils
RHEL 5 · elfutils · NOT AFFECTED
RHEL 6 · elfutils · NOT AFFECTED
RHEL 8 · elfutils · NOT AFFECTED
Alpine 3.20 · elfutils · FIXED · elfutils-0.174-r0
apk add --upgrade elfutils
apk info -v elfutils
Alpine 3.21 · elfutils · FIXED · elfutils-0.174-r0
apk add --upgrade elfutils
apk info -v elfutils
Alpine 3.22 · elfutils · FIXED · elfutils-0.174-r0
apk add --upgrade elfutils
apk info -v elfutils
Alpine 3.23 · elfutils · FIXED · elfutils-0.174-r0
apk add --upgrade elfutils
apk info -v elfutils
sudo yum update --advisory=ALAS2-2019-1337
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-2018-16402?
elfutils: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux desktop: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2018-16402 being exploited?
CVE-2018-16402 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-2018-16402 affect?
CVE-2018-16402 affects elfutils, debian linux, enterprise linux desktop. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). libelf/elf_end.c in elfutils 0.173 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (double free and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact because it tries to decompress twice.
How urgent is CVE-2018-16402?
Priority 72/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist
Software pages
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