CVE-2018-20175: rdesktop versions up to and including v1.8.3 contains several Integer Signedness errors that lead to Out-Of-Bo

Q: How do I fix CVE-2018-20175?

rdesktop: upgrade to newer than 1.8.3; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2018-20175 being exploited?

CVE-2018-20175 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-2018-20175 affect?

CVE-2018-20175 affects rdesktop, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). rdesktop versions up to and including v1.8.3 contains several Integer Signedness errors that lead to Out-Of-Bounds Reads in the file mcs.c and result in a Denial of Service (segfault).

Q: How urgent is CVE-2018-20175?

Priority 64/100. High severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

This week

HIGH 7.5REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2018-20175 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting rdesktop, debian linux. 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 contains several Integer Signedness errors that lead to Out-Of-Bounds Reads in the file mcs.c and result in a Denial of Service (segfault).

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

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	4.3% (top 9%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-125
Published	2019-03-15
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · 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.

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-2018-20175?

rdesktop: upgrade to newer than 1.8.3; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-20175 being exploited?

CVE-2018-20175 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-2018-20175 affect?

CVE-2018-20175 affects rdesktop, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). rdesktop versions up to and including v1.8.3 contains several Integer Signedness errors that lead to Out-Of-Bounds Reads in the file mcs.c and result in a Denial of Service (segfault).

How urgent is CVE-2018-20175?

Priority 64/100. High severity; EPSS top 9%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

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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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