CVE-2018-20194: There is a stack-based buffer underflow in the third instance of the calculate_gain function in libfaad/sbr_hf

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HIGH 7.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2018-20194 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting freeware advanced audio decoder 2. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

There is a stack-based buffer underflow in the third instance of the calculate_gain function in libfaad/sbr_hfadj.c in Freeware Advanced Audio Decoder 2 (FAAD2) 2.8.8. A crafted input will lead to a denial of service or possibly unspecified other impact because limiting the additional noise energy level is mishandled for the G_max <= G case.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.3% (top 29%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2018-12-18
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: audiocoding

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-12-18 01:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:52 UTCUpdated Record last modified

audiocoding freeware advanced audio decoder 2 DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.8.8

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.8.8

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy freeware-advanced-audio-decoder-2 || rpm -q freeware-advanced-audio-decoder-2 || freeware-advanced-audio-decoder-2 --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.8.8 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison freeware-advanced-audio-decoder-2 sudo apt install freeware-advanced-audio-decoder-2=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.8.8> sudo apt-mark hold freeware-advanced-audio-decoder-2

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

dnf --showduplicates list freeware-advanced-audio-decoder-2 sudo dnf downgrade freeware-advanced-audio-decoder-2-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.8.8> sudo dnf versionlock add freeware-advanced-audio-decoder-2

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-2018-20194?

freeware advanced audio decoder 2: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-20194 being exploited?

CVE-2018-20194 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-2018-20194 affect?

CVE-2018-20194 affects freeware advanced audio decoder 2. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). There is a stack-based buffer underflow in the third instance of the calculate_gain function in libfaad/sbr_hfadj.c in Freeware Advanced Audio Decoder 2 (FAAD2) 2.8.8. A crafted input will lead to a denial of service or possibly unspecified

How urgent is CVE-2018-20194?

Priority 50/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2019-6956 HIGH 7.1 UPGRADE MITIGATE An issue was discovered in Freeware Advanced Audio Decoder 2 (FAAD2) 2.8.8
CVE-2019-15296 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE An issue was discovered in Freeware Advanced Audio Decoder 2 (FAAD2) 2.8.8
CVE-2018-20362 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE A NULL pointer dereference was discovered in ifilter_bank of libfaad/filtbank.c in Freeware Advanced Audio Dec
CVE-2018-20361 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE An invalid memory address dereference was discovered in the hf_assembly function of libfaad/sbr_hfadj.c in Fre
CVE-2018-20360 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE MITIGATE An invalid memory address dereference was discovered in the sbr_process_channel function of libfaad/sbr_dec.c

References

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