CVE-2018-4043: An exploitable privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Clean My Mac X, version 4.04, helper service d

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2018-4043 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting cleanmymac x. 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 Clean My Mac X, version 4.04, helper service due to improper input validation. A user with local access can use this vulnerability to modify the file system as root. An attacker would need local access to the machine for a successful exploit.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 57%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2019-01-10
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Talos · Vendor: macpaw

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-01-10 15:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:58 UTCUpdated Record last modified

macpaw cleanmymac x DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.04

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.04

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy cleanmymac-x || rpm -q cleanmymac-x || cleanmymac-x --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.04 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison cleanmymac-x sudo apt install cleanmymac-x=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.04> sudo apt-mark hold cleanmymac-x

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

dnf --showduplicates list cleanmymac-x sudo dnf downgrade cleanmymac-x-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.04> sudo dnf versionlock add cleanmymac-x

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-2018-4043?

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

Is CVE-2018-4043 being exploited?

CVE-2018-4043 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-2018-4043 affect?

CVE-2018-4043 affects cleanmymac x. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). An exploitable privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Clean My Mac X, version 4.04, helper service due to improper input validation. A user with local access can use this vulnerability to modify the file system as root. An attacke

How urgent is CVE-2018-4043?

Priority 35/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2019-5011 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE An exploitable privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the helper service CleanMyMac X, version 4.20, due
CVE-2018-4047 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE An exploitable privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the helper service of Clean My Mac X, version 4.04
CVE-2018-4046 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE An exploitable denial-of-service vulnerability exists in the helper service of Clean My Mac X, version 4.04, d
CVE-2018-4045 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE An exploitable privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the helper service of Clean My Mac X, version 4.04
CVE-2018-4044 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE An exploitable privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the helper service of Clean My Mac X, version 4.04

References

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