CVE-2018-4008: An exploitable privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Shimo VPN 4.1.5.1 helper service in the RunVpn

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HIGH 7.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2018-4008 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting shimo vpn. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An exploitable privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Shimo VPN 4.1.5.1 helper service in the RunVpncScript command. The command takes a user-supplied script argument and executes it under root context. A user with local access can use this vulnerability to raise their privileges to root. An attacker would need local access to the machine to successfully exploit this bug.

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	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 63%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-269
Published	2019-04-15
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Talos · Vendor: shimovpn

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-04-15 20:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:58 UTCUpdated Record last modified

shimovpn shimo vpn DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.1.5.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.1.5.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy shimo-vpn || rpm -q shimo-vpn || shimo-vpn --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.1.5.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison shimo-vpn sudo apt install shimo-vpn=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.1.5.1> sudo apt-mark hold shimo-vpn

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

dnf --showduplicates list shimo-vpn sudo dnf downgrade shimo-vpn-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.1.5.1> sudo dnf versionlock add shimo-vpn

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-2018-4008?

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

Is CVE-2018-4008 being exploited?

CVE-2018-4008 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-2018-4008 affect?

CVE-2018-4008 affects shimo vpn. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). An exploitable privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Shimo VPN 4.1.5.1 helper service in the RunVpncScript command. The command takes a user-supplied script argument and executes it under root context. A user with local access ca

How urgent is CVE-2018-4008?

Priority 41/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2018-4009 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE An exploitable privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Shimo VPN helper service due to improper valid
CVE-2018-4007 HIGH 7.1 DOWNGRADE An exploitable privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Shimo VPN 4.1.5.1 helper service in the delete
CVE-2018-4006 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE An exploitable privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Shimo VPN 4.1.5.1 helper service in the writeC
CVE-2018-4005 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE An exploitable privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Shimo VPN 4.1.5.1 helper service in the config
CVE-2018-4004 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE An exploitable privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Shimo VPN 4.1.5.1 helper service in the discon

References

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