CVE-2018-6593: An issue was discovered in MalwareFox AntiMalware 2.74.0.150

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HIGH 7.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2018-6593 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting antimalware. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An issue was discovered in MalwareFox AntiMalware 2.74.0.150. Improper access control in zam32.sys and zam64.sys allows a non-privileged process to register itself with the driver by connecting to the filter communication port and then using IOCTL 0x8000204C to \\.\ZemanaAntiMalware to elevate privileges.

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	1.1% (top 34%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-732
Published	2018-02-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: malwarefox

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-02-03 18:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

malwarefox antimalware DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.74.0.150

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.74.0.150

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.74.0.150 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison antimalware sudo apt install antimalware=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.74.0.150> sudo apt-mark hold antimalware

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

dnf --showduplicates list antimalware sudo dnf downgrade antimalware-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.74.0.150> sudo dnf versionlock add antimalware

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.

Public exploits and detection

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

Exploit-DB: MalwareFox AntiMalware 2.74.0.150 - Local Privilege Escalation

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-2018-6593?

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

Is CVE-2018-6593 being exploited?

CVE-2018-6593 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-2018-6593 affect?

CVE-2018-6593 affects antimalware. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). An issue was discovered in MalwareFox AntiMalware 2.74.0.150. Improper access control in zam32.sys and zam64.sys allows a non-privileged process to register itself with the driver by connecting to the filter communication port and then usin

How urgent is CVE-2018-6593?

Priority 49/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2024-6260 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE Malwarebytes Antimalware Link Following Local Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
CVE-2022-42045 MEDIUM 6.7 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Certain Zemana products are vulnerable to Arbitrary code injection
CVE-2021-31728 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE Incorrect access control in zam64.sys, zam32.sys in MalwareFox AntiMalware 2.74.0.150 allows a non-privileged
CVE-2021-31727 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE Incorrect access control in zam64.sys, zam32.sys in MalwareFox AntiMalware 2.74.0.150 where IOCTL's 0x80002014
CVE-2019-6739 HIGH 8.8 DOWNGRADE This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Malwarebyt

References

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