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CVE-2018-7549: In params.c in zsh through 5.4.2, there is a crash during a copy of an empty hash table, as demonstrated by ty

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HIGH 7.5REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2018-7549 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting zsh, enterprise linux desktop, enterprise linux server. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In params.c in zsh through 5.4.2, there is a crash during a copy of an empty hash table, as demonstrated by typeset -p.

Why this priority

  • High severity
  • Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
  • On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score7.5 (High)
Attack vectorNetwork (remote)
Attack complexityLow
Privileges neededNone
User interactionNone
EPSS exploit chance2.6% (top 15%)
CISA exploited listNo
WeaknessCWE-20
Published2018-02-27
Last modified2026-06-17
Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: canonical · redhat · zsh

Share: LinkedIn · X · Reddit

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

zsh zsh UPGRADE
Affected: <= 5.4.2
Fixed in: newer than 5.4.2
Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release
1. Check installed version
apt-cache policy zsh || rpm -q zsh || zsh --version
2. UPGRADE to newer than 5.4.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)
sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade zsh
2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)
sudo dnf upgrade zsh
Note
Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.
redhat enterprise linux desktop MITIGATE
Affected: 7.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0
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: 7.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0
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 workstation MITIGATE
Affected: 7.0
Fixed in: no fixed release known
Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.0
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.
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-2018-7549?

zsh: upgrade to newer than 5.4.2; enterprise linux desktop: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux server: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-7549 being exploited?

CVE-2018-7549 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-2018-7549 affect?

CVE-2018-7549 affects zsh, enterprise linux desktop, enterprise linux server. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). In params.c in zsh through 5.4.2, there is a crash during a copy of an empty hash table, as demonstrated by typeset -p.

How urgent is CVE-2018-7549?

Priority 58/100. High severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

References

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