CVE-2018-3881: An exploitable unauthenticated XML external injection vulnerability was identified in FocalScope v2416

This week

CRITICAL 9.4REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2018-3881 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.4) affecting focalscope. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An exploitable unauthenticated XML external injection vulnerability was identified in FocalScope v2416. A unauthenticated attacker could submit a specially crafted web request to FocalScope's server that could cause an XXE, and potentially result in data compromise.

Why this priority

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

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.4 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.2% (top 31%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-611
Published	2018-08-01
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Talos · Vendor: focalscope

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-08-01 20:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:57 UTCUpdated Record last modified

focalscope focalscope DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2416

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2416

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2416 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison focalscope sudo apt install focalscope=<VERSION_BEFORE_2416> sudo apt-mark hold focalscope

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

dnf --showduplicates list focalscope sudo dnf downgrade focalscope-<VERSION_BEFORE_2416> sudo dnf versionlock add focalscope

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-2018-3881?

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

Is CVE-2018-3881 being exploited?

CVE-2018-3881 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-2018-3881 affect?

CVE-2018-3881 affects focalscope. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.4). An exploitable unauthenticated XML external injection vulnerability was identified in FocalScope v2416. A unauthenticated attacker could submit a specially crafted web request to FocalScope's server that could cause an XXE, and potentially

How urgent is CVE-2018-3881?

Priority 60/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

References

← Back to latest CVEs