CVE-2018-20174: rdesktop versions up to and including v1.8.3 contain an Out-Of-Bounds Read in the function ui_clip_handle_data

Q: How do I fix CVE-2018-20174?

rdesktop: upgrade to newer than 1.8.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2018-20174 being exploited?

CVE-2018-20174 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2018-20174 affect?

CVE-2018-20174 affects rdesktop. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). rdesktop versions up to and including v1.8.3 contain an Out-Of-Bounds Read in the function ui_clip_handle_data() that results in an information leak.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2018-20174?

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

This week

HIGH 7.5REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2018-20174 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting rdesktop. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

rdesktop versions up to and including v1.8.3 contain an Out-Of-Bounds Read in the function ui_clip_handle_data() that results in an information leak.

Why this priority

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

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	3.4% (top 11%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125
Published	2019-03-15
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: rdesktop

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-03-15 18:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:52 UTCUpdated Record last modified

rdesktop rdesktop UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.8.3

Fixed in: newer than 1.8.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.8.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade rdesktop

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

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-2018-20174?

rdesktop: upgrade to newer than 1.8.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-20174 being exploited?

CVE-2018-20174 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-2018-20174 affect?

CVE-2018-20174 affects rdesktop. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). rdesktop versions up to and including v1.8.3 contain an Out-Of-Bounds Read in the function ui_clip_handle_data() that results in an information leak.

How urgent is CVE-2018-20174?

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

Related CVEs

CVE-2019-15682 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE RDesktop version 1.8.4 contains multiple out-of-bound access read vulnerabilities in its code, which results i
CVE-2018-8800 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE rdesktop versions up to and including v1.8.3 contain a Heap-Based Buffer Overflow in function ui_clip_handle_d
CVE-2018-8799 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE rdesktop versions up to and including v1.8.3 contain an Out-Of-Bounds Read in function process_secondary_order
CVE-2018-8798 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE rdesktop versions up to and including v1.8.3 contain an Out-Of-Bounds Read in function rdpsnd_process_ping() t
CVE-2018-8797 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE rdesktop versions up to and including v1.8.3 contain a Heap-Based Buffer Overflow in function process_plane()

References

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