CVE-2018-14678

Name: CVE-2018-14678
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2018-07-28T18:29:00.243+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.41%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2018-14678 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. An issue was discovered in the Linux kernel through 4.17.11, as used in Xen through 4.11.x. The xen_failsafe_callback entry point in arch/x86/entry/entry_64.S does not properly maintain RBX, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (uninitialized memory usage and system crash). EPSS estimates a 0.41% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

An issue was discovered in the Linux kernel through 4.17.11, as used in Xen through 4.11.x. The xen_failsafe_callback entry point in arch/x86/entry/entry_64.S does not properly maintain RBX, which allows local users to cause a denial of service (uninitialized memory usage and system crash). Within Xen, 64-bit x86 PV Linux guest OS users can trigger a guest OS crash or possibly gain privileges.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.41%

32.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-665

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.14.21, < 4.14.61
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 4.15.5, < 4.17.13
Xen	Xen	<= 4.11.0
Debian	Debian Linux	8.0
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	14.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	16.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	18.04

References

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/104924Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1041397Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/10/msg00003.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3931-1/Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3931-2/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4308Third Party Advisory
https://xenbits.xen.org/xsa/advisory-274.htmlMitigation, Patch, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/104924Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1041397Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/10/msg00003.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3931-1/Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3931-2/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4308Third Party Advisory
https://xenbits.xen.org/xsa/advisory-274.htmlMitigation, Patch, Vendor Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jul 28, 2018
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2018-14678?

How severe is CVE-2018-14678?

CVE-2018-14678 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.41% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2018-14678?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2018-14678?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST