CVE-2018-18638: A command injection vulnerability in the setup API in the Neato Botvac Connected 2.2.0 allows network attacker

This week

HIGH 8.1REMOTEMITIGATE

CVE-2018-18638 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.1) affecting botvac connected firmware. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A command injection vulnerability in the setup API in the Neato Botvac Connected 2.2.0 allows network attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the ntp field within JSON data to the /robot/initialize endpoint.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.1 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.8% (top 13%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-78
Published	2018-10-24
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: neatorobotics

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-10-24 22:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:47 UTCUpdated Record last modified

neatorobotics botvac connected firmware MITIGATE

Affected: 2.2.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.2.0

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-2018-18638?

botvac connected firmware: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-18638 being exploited?

CVE-2018-18638 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-2018-18638 affect?

CVE-2018-18638 affects botvac connected firmware. Severity is high (CVSS 8.1). A command injection vulnerability in the setup API in the Neato Botvac Connected 2.2.0 allows network attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the ntp field within JSON data to the /robot/initialize endpoint.

How urgent is CVE-2018-18638?

Priority 60/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2018-19442 CRITICAL 9.8 MITIGATE A Buffer Overflow in Network::AuthenticationClient::VerifySignature in /bin/astro in Neato Botvac Connected 2.

References

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