CVE-2018-15686

Name: CVE-2018-15686
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2018-10-26T14:29:00.613+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 2.28%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2018-15686 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. A vulnerability in unit_deserialize of systemd allows an attacker to supply arbitrary state across systemd re-execution via NotifyAccess. This can be used to improperly influence systemd execution and possibly lead to root privilege escalation. EPSS estimates a 2.28% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A vulnerability in unit_deserialize of systemd allows an attacker to supply arbitrary state across systemd re-execution via NotifyAccess. This can be used to improperly influence systemd execution and possibly lead to root privilege escalation. Affected releases are systemd versions up to and including 239.

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

2.28%

80.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	16.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	18.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	18.10
Debian	Debian Linux	8.0
Systemd Project	Systemd	<= 239
Oracle	Communications Cloud Native Core Network Function Cloud Native Environment	1.4.0

References

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/105747Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:2091Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:3222Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0593Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/systemd/systemd/pull/10519Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r1b103833cb5bc8466e24ff0ecc5e75b45a705334ab6a444e64e840a0%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/11/msg00017.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201810-10Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3816-1/Third Party Advisory
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45714/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://www.oracle.com//security-alerts/cpujul2021.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/105747Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:2091Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:3222Third Party Advisory
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2020:0593Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/systemd/systemd/pull/10519Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r1b103833cb5bc8466e24ff0ecc5e75b45a705334ab6a444e64e840a0%40%3Cissues.bookkeeper.apache.org%3E
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/11/msg00017.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201810-10Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/3816-1/Third Party Advisory
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/45714/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://www.oracle.com//security-alerts/cpujul2021.htmlThird Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Oct 26, 2018
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2018-15686?

How severe is CVE-2018-15686?

CVE-2018-15686 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 2.28% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2018-15686?

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-2018-15686?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST