PatchTheCVECVE-2018-6871: LibreOffice before 5.4.5 and 6.x before 6.0.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via =WEBSERVICE
74
This week
CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE
CVE-2018-6871 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting libreoffice, debian linux, ubuntu linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.
LibreOffice before 5.4.5 and 6.x before 6.0.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via =WEBSERVICE calls in a document, which use the COM.MICROSOFT.WEBSERVICE function.
Why this priority
- Critical severity
- EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited
- Public exploit reference
- Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
- On your watchlist
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 | 22.8% (top 2%) |
| CISA exploited list | No |
| Published | 2018-02-09 |
| Last modified | 2026-06-17 |
Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score
Am I affected?
Timeline
- Published CVE record published
- Updated Record last modified
libreoffice libreoffice UPGRADE
Affected: < 5.4.5 · 6.0.0 · 6.0.0 alpha1 · 6.0.0 beta1 · 6.0.0 beta2
Fixed in: 5.4.5
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy libreoffice || rpm -q libreoffice || libreoffice --version
2. UPGRADE to 5.4.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade libreoffice
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade libreoffice
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
debian debian linux MITIGATE
Affected: 9.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.0
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
canonical ubuntu linux MITIGATE
Affected: 14.04 · 16.04 · 17.10
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 14.04
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
redhat enterprise linux desktop MITIGATE
Affected: 6.0 · 7.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
redhat enterprise linux server MITIGATE
Affected: 6.0 · 7.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
redhat enterprise linux server aus MITIGATE
Affected: 7.4 · 7.6
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.4
Check your OS release
cat /etc/os-release; uname -r
Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade
RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora
sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
Windows
Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update
If no patch exists yet
OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.
Exact fixes by distribution
A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.
Fedora 46 · shotcut · FIXED · 26.10.30-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-7787c7fc2d · source
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-7787c7fc2d
Debian 12 · libreoffice · FIXED · 1:6.0.1-1
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade libreoffice
dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' libreoffice)" ge "1:6.0.1-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE
Debian 13 · libreoffice · FIXED · 1:6.0.1-1
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade libreoffice
dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' libreoffice)" ge "1:6.0.1-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE
RHEL 6 · libreoffice · FIXED · libreoffice-4.3.7.2-2.el6_9.2
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2018:0517
rpm -q libreoffice
RHEL 7 · libreoffice · FIXED · libreoffice-5.0.6.2-15.el7_4
sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2018:0418
rpm -q libreoffice
RHEL 8 · libreoffice · NOT AFFECTED
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: github.com/jollheef/libreoffice-remote-arbitrary-file-disclosure
- Write-up: www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44022/
- Write-up: www.libreoffice.org/about-us/security/advisories/cve-2018-1055/
- Exploit-DB: LibreOffice < 6.0.1 - '=WEBSERVICE' Remote Arbitrary File Disclosure
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.
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-2018-6871?
libreoffice: upgrade to 5.4.5; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; ubuntu linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.
Is CVE-2018-6871 being exploited?
CVE-2018-6871 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-2018-6871 affect?
CVE-2018-6871 affects libreoffice, debian linux, ubuntu linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). LibreOffice before 5.4.5 and 6.x before 6.0.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via =WEBSERVICE calls in a document, which use the COM.MICROSOFT.WEBSERVICE function.
How urgent is CVE-2018-6871?
Priority 74/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist
Software pages
Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities · LibreOffice vulnerabilities
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