CVE-2018-25220: Bochs 2.6-5 contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary co

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2018-25220 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting bochs. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Bochs 2.6-5 contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying an oversized input string to the application. Attackers can craft a malicious payload with 1200 bytes of padding followed by a return-oriented programming chain to overwrite the instruction pointer and execute shell commands with application privileges.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 49%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2026-03-28
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): VulnCheck · Vendor: bochs project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-03-28 12:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:55 UTCUpdated Record last modified

bochs project bochs DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.6.5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.6.5

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.6.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison bochs sudo apt install bochs=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.6.5> sudo apt-mark hold bochs

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

dnf --showduplicates list bochs sudo dnf downgrade bochs-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.6.5> sudo dnf versionlock add bochs

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.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora ELN · perl-Encode · FIXED · 3.25-528.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-79991d0238 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-79991d0238

Fedora 46 · fonttools · FIXED · 4.68.0-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-65d6c01c75 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-65d6c01c75

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Write-up: www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43979

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-2018-25220?

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

Is CVE-2018-25220 being exploited?

CVE-2018-25220 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-2018-25220 affect?

CVE-2018-25220 affects bochs. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Bochs 2.6-5 contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying an oversized input string to the application. Attackers can craft a malicious payload with 1200 bytes of padding f

How urgent is CVE-2018-25220?

Priority 60/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

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