CVE-2018-18607: An issue was discovered in elf_link_input_bfd in elflink.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka li

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MEDIUM 5.5WATCHLISTDOWNGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2018-18607 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting binutils, debian linux, data ontap. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An issue was discovered in elf_link_input_bfd in elflink.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.31. There is a NULL pointer dereference in elf_link_input_bfd when used for finding STT_TLS symbols without any TLS section. A specially crafted ELF allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service, as demonstrated by ld.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	2.3% (top 17%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-476
Published	2018-10-23
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · gnu · netapp

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-10-23 17:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:47 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gnu binutils DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.31

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.31

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.31 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison binutils sudo apt install binutils=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.31> sudo apt-mark hold binutils

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

dnf --showduplicates list binutils sudo dnf downgrade binutils-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.31> sudo dnf versionlock add binutils

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: 7.0 · 8.0 · 9.0

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.

netapp data ontap MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

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.

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-2018-18607?

binutils: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; data ontap: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-18607 being exploited?

CVE-2018-18607 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-2018-18607 affect?

CVE-2018-18607 affects binutils, debian linux, data ontap. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). An issue was discovered in elf_link_input_bfd in elflink.c in the Binary File Descriptor (BFD) library (aka libbfd), as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.31. There is a NULL pointer dereference in elf_link_input_bfd when used for finding STT_TL

How urgent is CVE-2018-18607?

Priority 50/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2022-38533 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE In GNU Binutils before 2.40, there is a heap-buffer-overflow in the error function bfd_getl32 when called from
CVE-2026-6846 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE A flaw was found in binutils
CVE-2026-6844 MEDIUM 5.5 MITIGATE MITIGATE A flaw was found in the `readelf` utility of the binutils package
CVE-2026-6845 MEDIUM 5.0 MITIGATE MITIGATE A flaw was found in binutils, specifically within the `readelf` utility
CVE-2018-18700 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE An issue was discovered in cp-demangle.c in GNU libiberty, as distributed in GNU Binutils 2.31

References

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