CVE-2019-18218: cdf_read_property_info in cdf.c in file through 5.37 does not restrict the number of CDF_VECTOR elements, whic

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HIGH 7.8WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2019-18218 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting file, debian linux, leap. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

cdf_read_property_info in cdf.c in file through 5.37 does not restrict the number of CDF_VECTOR elements, which allows a heap-based buffer overflow (4-byte out-of-bounds write).

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.8% (top 21%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2019-10-21
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: canonical · debian · fedoraproject · file project · netapp · opensuse

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2019-10-21 05:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:24 UTCUpdated Record last modified

file project file UPGRADE

Affected: <= 5.37

Fixed in: newer than 5.37

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 5.37 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade file

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade file

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0 · 9.0 · 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

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.

opensuse leap MITIGATE

Affected: 15.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 15.1

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.

netapp active iq unified manager DOWNGRADE

Affected: >= 7.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 7.3

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy active-iq-unified-manager || rpm -q active-iq-unified-manager || active-iq-unified-manager --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 7.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison active-iq-unified-manager sudo apt install active-iq-unified-manager=<VERSION_BEFORE_7.3> sudo apt-mark hold active-iq-unified-manager

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

dnf --showduplicates list active-iq-unified-manager sudo dnf downgrade active-iq-unified-manager-<VERSION_BEFORE_7.3> sudo dnf versionlock add active-iq-unified-manager

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.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 29 · 30 · 31

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 29

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: 12.04 · 14.04 · 16.04 · 18.04 · 19.04 · 19.10

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12.04

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-2019-18218?

file: upgrade to newer than 5.37; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; leap: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2019-18218 being exploited?

CVE-2019-18218 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-2019-18218 affect?

CVE-2019-18218 affects file, debian linux, leap. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). cdf_read_property_info in cdf.c in file through 5.37 does not restrict the number of CDF_VECTOR elements, which allows a heap-based buffer overflow (4-byte out-of-bounds write).

How urgent is CVE-2019-18218?

Priority 57/100. High severity; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

Ubuntu vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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