CVE-2018-20871: In Univa Grid Engine before 8.6.3, when configured for Docker jobs and execd spooling on root_squash, weak fil

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTDOWNGRADE

CVE-2018-20871 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting grid engine. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In Univa Grid Engine before 8.6.3, when configured for Docker jobs and execd spooling on root_squash, weak file permissions ("other" write access) occur in certain cases (GE-6890).

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.2% (top 18%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-732
Published	2019-07-30
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: univa

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-07-30 19:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:53 UTCUpdated Record last modified

univa grid engine DOWNGRADE

Affected: 8.6.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.6.3

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy grid-engine || rpm -q grid-engine || grid-engine --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 8.6.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison grid-engine sudo apt install grid-engine=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.6.3> sudo apt-mark hold grid-engine

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

dnf --showduplicates list grid-engine sudo dnf downgrade grid-engine-<VERSION_BEFORE_8.6.3> sudo dnf versionlock add grid-engine

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-2018-20871?

grid engine: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-20871 being exploited?

CVE-2018-20871 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-2018-20871 affect?

CVE-2018-20871 affects grid engine. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). In Univa Grid Engine before 8.6.3, when configured for Docker jobs and execd spooling on root_squash, weak file permissions ("other" write access) occur in certain cases (GE-6890).

How urgent is CVE-2018-20871?

Priority 65/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Docker vulnerabilities

References

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