CVE-2018-0500: Buffer Overflow

Published Jul 2, 2018
·
Updated

curl versions 7.54.1 through 7.60.0 are vulnerable to a heap-based buffer overflow in the Curlsmtpescapeeob() function when uploading data over SMTP and using a reduced read buffer. An attacker could exploit this by convincing a user to use curl to upload data over SMTP with a reduced buffer to cause a crash or corrupt memory.

Other sources

Curlsmtpescapeeob in lib/smtp.c in curl 7.54.1 to and including curl 7.60.0 has a heap-based buffer overflow that might be exploitable by an attacker who can control the data that curl transmits over SMTP with certain settings (i.e., use of a nonstandard --limit-rate argument or CURLOPTBUFFERSIZE value).

Launchpad

Affected Software

5 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/curl<7.61.0
7.61.0
haxx curl>=7.54.1<=7.60.0
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=17.10
Canonical Ubuntu Linux=18.04
debian/curl
7.74.0-1.3+deb11u137.74.0-1.3+deb11u167.88.1-10+deb12u147.88.1-10+deb12u58.14.1-2+deb13u28.18.0-28.19.0~rc2-1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/curl to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.74.0-1.3+deb11u13Fixed in 7.74.0-1.3+deb11u16Fixed in 7.88.1-10+deb12u14Fixed in 7.88.1-10+deb12u5Fixed in 8.14.1-2+deb13u2Fixed in 8.18.0-2Fixed in 8.19.0~rc2-1
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/curl to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.61.0
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade curl to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.60.0
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade curl to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 7.54.1
  5. Compensating control

    Avoid using a reduced read buffer when uploading data over SMTP with curl; do not use a nonstandard --limit-rate argument and do not set CURLOPT_BUFFERSIZE to a reduced value.

Event History

Jul 2, 2018
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·04:06 AM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Jul 11, 2018
CVE Published
via MITRE·01:00 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·01:00 PM
DescriptionWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·01:29 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Jan 11, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·10:43 PM
Description
Feb 21, 2026
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·03:02 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Feb 22, 2026
Data Sourced
via Debian·03:03 PM
DescriptionAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2018-0500?

CVE-2018-0500 is classified as a medium severity vulnerability due to the potential for exploitation via a heap-based buffer overflow.

2

How do I fix CVE-2018-0500?

To fix CVE-2018-0500, update curl to version 7.61.0 or later for Red Hat or version 7.74.0-1.3+deb11u13 or later for Debian.

3

Which versions of curl are affected by CVE-2018-0500?

CVE-2018-0500 affects curl versions from 7.54.1 up to 7.60.0 inclusive.

4

What types of attacks can exploit CVE-2018-0500?

An attacker could exploit CVE-2018-0500 by convincing a victim to upload data over SMTP using a vulnerable version of curl with a reduced read buffer.

5

Is there a specific requirement for exploiting CVE-2018-0500?

Exploitation of CVE-2018-0500 requires the victim to use curl with a reduced read buffer while uploading data over an SMTP server.

Contact

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