CVE-2018-19183: ethereumjs-vm 2.4.0 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (vm.runCode failure and REVERT) via a "code:

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HIGH 7.5REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2018-19183 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting ethereumjs-vm. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

ethereumjs-vm 2.4.0 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (vm.runCode failure and REVERT) via a "code: Buffer.from(my_code, 'hex')" attribute. NOTE: the vendor disputes this because REVERT is a normal bytecode that can be triggered from high-level source code, leading to a normal programmatic execution result.

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	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	3.1% (top 12%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2018-11-12
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: ethereumjs-vm project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-11-12 02:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:48 UTCUpdated Record last modified

ethereumjs-vm project ethereumjs-vm DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.4.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.4.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy ethereumjs-vm || rpm -q ethereumjs-vm || ethereumjs-vm --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison ethereumjs-vm sudo apt install ethereumjs-vm=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.4.0> sudo apt-mark hold ethereumjs-vm

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

dnf --showduplicates list ethereumjs-vm sudo dnf downgrade ethereumjs-vm-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add ethereumjs-vm

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-2018-19183?

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

Is CVE-2018-19183 being exploited?

CVE-2018-19183 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-2018-19183 affect?

CVE-2018-19183 affects ethereumjs-vm. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). ethereumjs-vm 2.4.0 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (vm.runCode failure and REVERT) via a "code: Buffer.from(my_code, 'hex')" attribute. NOTE: the vendor disputes this because REVERT is a normal bytecode that can be triggered

How urgent is CVE-2018-19183?

Priority 58/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

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