CVE-2018-17937: gpsd versions 2.90 to 3.17 and microjson versions 1.0 to 1.3, an open source project, allow a stack-based buff

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HIGH 8.8WATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2018-17937 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting gpsd, microjson, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

gpsd versions 2.90 to 3.17 and microjson versions 1.0 to 1.3, an open source project, allow a stack-based buffer overflow, which may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on embedded platforms via traffic on Port 2947/TCP or crafted JSON inputs.

Why this priority

High severity
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Adjacent network
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.7% (top 14%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-121, CWE-787
Published	2019-03-13
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): ICS-CERT · Vendor: debian · gpsd project · microjson project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-03-13 17:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:46 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gpsd project gpsd UPGRADE

Affected: >= 2.90 and <= 3.17

Fixed in: newer than 3.17

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.90

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 3.17 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade gpsd

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade gpsd

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 2.90 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison gpsd sudo apt install gpsd=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.90> sudo apt-mark hold gpsd

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list gpsd sudo dnf downgrade gpsd-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.90> sudo dnf versionlock add gpsd

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.

microjson project microjson UPGRADE

Affected: >= 1.0 and <= 1.3

Fixed in: newer than 1.3

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade microjson

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade microjson

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 1.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison microjson sudo apt install microjson=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0> sudo apt-mark hold microjson

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list microjson sudo dnf downgrade microjson-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0> sudo dnf versionlock add microjson

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: 8.0 · 9.0

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.

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-2018-17937?

gpsd: upgrade to newer than 3.17; microjson: upgrade to newer than 1.3; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-17937 being exploited?

CVE-2018-17937 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-2018-17937 affect?

CVE-2018-17937 affects gpsd, microjson, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). gpsd versions 2.90 to 3.17 and microjson versions 1.0 to 1.3, an open source project, allow a stack-based buffer overflow, which may allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on embedded platforms via traffic on Port 2947/TCP or craf

How urgent is CVE-2018-17937?

Priority 57/100. High severity; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-58459 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE gpsd through release-3.27.5, fixed at commit 4c06658, contains a command injection vulnerability in gpsprof th
CVE-2025-67269 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE An integer underflow vulnerability exists in the `nextstate()` function in `gpsd/packet.c` of gpsd versions pr
CVE-2025-67268 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE gpsd before commit dc966aa contains a heap-based out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the drivers/driver_nmea2
CVE-2023-43628 MEDIUM 5.9 DOWNGRADE An integer underflow vulnerability exists in the NTRIP Stream Parsing functionality of GPSd 3.25.1~dev

References

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