CVE-2018-7884: An issue was discovered in DisplayLink Core Software Cleaner Application 8.2.1956

This month

HIGH 7.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2018-7884 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting core software cleaner. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An issue was discovered in DisplayLink Core Software Cleaner Application 8.2.1956. When the drivers are updated to a newer version, the product launches a process as SYSTEM to uninstall the old version: cl_1956.exe is run as SYSTEM on the %systemroot%\Temp folder, where any user can write a DLL (e.g., version.dll) to perform DLL Hijacking and elevate privileges to SYSTEM.

Why this priority

High severity

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	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.9% (top 39%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-426
Published	2018-06-05
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: displaylink

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-06-05 21:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:03 UTCUpdated Record last modified

displaylink core software cleaner DOWNGRADE

Affected: 8.2.1956

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.2.1956

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy core-software-cleaner || rpm -q core-software-cleaner || core-software-cleaner --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 8.2.1956 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison core-software-cleaner sudo apt install core-software-cleaner=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.2.1956> sudo apt-mark hold core-software-cleaner

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

dnf --showduplicates list core-software-cleaner sudo dnf downgrade core-software-cleaner-<VERSION_BEFORE_8.2.1956> sudo dnf versionlock add core-software-cleaner

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-2018-7884?

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

Is CVE-2018-7884 being exploited?

CVE-2018-7884 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-2018-7884 affect?

CVE-2018-7884 affects core software cleaner. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). An issue was discovered in DisplayLink Core Software Cleaner Application 8.2.1956. When the drivers are updated to a newer version, the product launches a process as SYSTEM to uninstall the old version: cl_1956.exe is run as SYSTEM on the %

How urgent is CVE-2018-7884?

Priority 42/100. High severity

References

← Back to latest CVEs