Resource allocation without limits in systemd
Priority MEDIUM 40CWE-770Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-770.
Summary
An allocation of memory without limits, that could result in the stack clashing with another memory region, was discovered in systemd-journald when many entries are sent to the journal socket. A local attacker, or a remote one if systemd-journal-remote is used, may use this flaw to crash systemd-journald or execute code with journald privileges. Versions through v240 are vulnerable.
Why it matters now
Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.03016 87th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Public exploit Yes 1 exploit referenceTagged by NVD
Fix Fixed Red Hat: 6 advisories
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| systemd | systemd | through v240 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- systemd Vendorsystemd Affected through v240 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 20
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:systemd_project:systemd:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | up to 240 | Vulnerable | systemd |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_aus:7.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.3 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_aus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.6 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.5 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.6 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_tus:7.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.3 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_tus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.6 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
- cpe:2.3:a:systemd_project:systemd:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions up to 240 Vulnerable ·systemd
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_aus:7.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.3 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_aus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.6 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.5 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.6 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_tus:7.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.3 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_tus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.6 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
Show 10 more CPE
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 8.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 9.0 | Vulnerable | Debian |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* | 16.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* | 18.04 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 18.10 | Vulnerable | Canonical |
| cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_session_border_controller:8.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 8.0.0 | Vulnerable | Oracle |
| cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_session_border_controller:8.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 8.1.0 | Vulnerable | Oracle |
| cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_session_border_controller:8.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 8.2.0 | Vulnerable | Oracle |
| cpe:2.3:a:oracle:enterprise_communications_broker:3.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.0.0 | Vulnerable | Oracle |
| cpe:2.3:a:oracle:enterprise_communications_broker:3.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 3.1.0 | Vulnerable | Oracle |
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 8.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 9.0 Vulnerable ·Debian
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* Versions 16.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:* Versions 18.04 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 18.10 Vulnerable ·Canonical
- cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_session_border_controller:8.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 8.0.0 Vulnerable ·Oracle
- cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_session_border_controller:8.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 8.1.0 Vulnerable ·Oracle
- cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_session_border_controller:8.2.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 8.2.0 Vulnerable ·Oracle
- cpe:2.3:a:oracle:enterprise_communications_broker:3.0.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.0.0 Vulnerable ·Oracle
- cpe:2.3:a:oracle:enterprise_communications_broker:3.1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 3.1.0 Vulnerable ·Oracle
Remediation
Red Hat 6 advisories
- RHSA-2019:2402 Released 2019-08-07 · Red Hat rating Importantsystemd security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server AUS (v. 7.3) libgudev1-219-30.el7_3.13, libgudev1-devel-219-30.el7_3.13, systemd-219-30.el7_3.13 +4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server E4S (v. 7.3) libgudev1-219-30.el7_3.13, libgudev1-devel-219-30.el7_3.13, systemd-219-30.el7_3.13 +4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional AUS (v. 7.3) systemd-journal-gateway-219-30.el7_3.13, systemd-networkd-219-30.el7_3.13, systemd-resolved-219-30.el7_3.13
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional E4S (v. 7.3) systemd-journal-gateway-219-30.el7_3.13, systemd-networkd-219-30.el7_3.13, systemd-resolved-219-30.el7_3.13
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional TUS (v. 7.3) systemd-journal-gateway-219-30.el7_3.13, systemd-networkd-219-30.el7_3.13, systemd-resolved-219-30.el7_3.13
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server TUS (v. 7.3) libgudev1-219-30.el7_3.13, libgudev1-devel-219-30.el7_3.13, systemd-219-30.el7_3.13 +4
- RHSA-2019:0361 Released 2019-02-18 · Red Hat rating Moderaterhvm-appliance security update
- Red Hat Virtualization 4 Hypervisor for RHEL 7 rhvm-appliance-2:4.2-20190129.0.el7
- Red Hat Virtualization 4 Management Agent for RHEL 7 Hosts rhvm-appliance-2:4.2-20190129.0.el7
- RHSA-2019:0342 Released 2019-02-13 · Red Hat rating Moderateredhat-virtualization-host security update
- RHEL 7-based RHEV-H for RHEV 4 (build requirements) redhat-release-virtualization-host-4.2-8.1.el7, redhat-virtualization-host-image-update-placeholder-4.2-8.1.el7
- Red Hat Virtualization 4 Hypervisor for RHEL 7 redhat-virtualization-host-4.2-20190129.0.el7_6, redhat-virtualization-host-image-update-4.2-20190129.0.el7_6
Show 3 more Red Hat advisories
- RHSA-2019:0271 Released 2019-02-04 · Red Hat rating Importantsystemd security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode EUS (v. 7.4) libgudev1-219-42.el7_4.13, systemd-219-42.el7_4.13, systemd-libs-219-42.el7_4.13 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional EUS (v. 7.4) libgudev1-devel-219-42.el7_4.13, systemd-devel-219-42.el7_4.13, systemd-journal-gateway-219-42.el7_4.13 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.4) libgudev1-219-42.el7_4.13, libgudev1-219-42.el7_4.13.ppc, libgudev1-devel-219-42.el7_4.13 +8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional EUS (v. 7.4) systemd-journal-gateway-219-42.el7_4.13, systemd-networkd-219-42.el7_4.13, systemd-resolved-219-42.el7_4.13 +1
- RHSA-2019:0204 Released 2019-01-29 · Red Hat rating Importantsystemd security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode EUS (v. 7.5) libgudev1-219-57.el7_5.5, systemd-219-57.el7_5.5, systemd-libs-219-57.el7_5.5 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional EUS (v. 7.5) libgudev1-devel-219-57.el7_5.5, systemd-devel-219-57.el7_5.5, systemd-journal-gateway-219-57.el7_5.5 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.5) libgudev1-219-57.el7_5.5, libgudev1-219-57.el7_5.5.ppc, libgudev1-devel-219-57.el7_5.5 +8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional EUS (v. 7.5) systemd-journal-gateway-219-57.el7_5.5, systemd-networkd-219-57.el7_5.5, systemd-resolved-219-57.el7_5.5 +1
- RHSA-2019:0049 Released 2019-01-14 · Red Hat rating Importantsystemd security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) libgudev1-219-62.el7_6.2, systemd-219-62.el7_6.2, systemd-libs-219-62.el7_6.2 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) libgudev1-devel-219-62.el7_6.2, systemd-devel-219-62.el7_6.2, systemd-journal-gateway-219-62.el7_6.2 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7) libgudev1-219-62.el7_6.2, systemd-219-62.el7_6.2, systemd-libs-219-62.el7_6.2 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) libgudev1-devel-219-62.el7_6.2, systemd-devel-219-62.el7_6.2, systemd-journal-gateway-219-62.el7_6.2 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) libgudev1-219-62.el7_6.2, libgudev1-219-62.el7_6.2.ppc, libgudev1-devel-219-62.el7_6.2 +8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) systemd-journal-gateway-219-62.el7_6.2, systemd-networkd-219-62.el7_6.2, systemd-resolved-219-62.el7_6.2 +1
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) libgudev1-219-62.el7_6.2, libgudev1-devel-219-62.el7_6.2, systemd-219-62.el7_6.2 +4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) systemd-journal-gateway-219-62.el7_6.2, systemd-networkd-219-62.el7_6.2, systemd-resolved-219-62.el7_6.2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7) libgudev1-219-62.el7_6.2, libgudev1-devel-219-62.el7_6.2, systemd-219-62.el7_6.2 +4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server Optional (v. 7) systemd-journal-gateway-219-62.el7_6.2, systemd-networkd-219-62.el7_6.2, systemd-resolved-219-62.el7_6.2
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Advisory ·
The systemd Project systemd — GLSA-201903-07
3 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 2 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2018-12074 Resource allocation without limits in systemdPriority LOW 37
- TI-2018-12076 Out-of-bounds read in systemdPriority LOW 18
- Advisory ·
The systemd Project systemd — USN-3855-1
3 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 2 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2018-12074 Resource allocation without limits in systemdPriority LOW 37
- TI-2018-12076 Out-of-bounds read in systemdPriority LOW 18
Show 6 more groups
- Advisory ·
The systemd Project systemd — DSA-4367
3 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 2 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2018-12074 Resource allocation without limits in systemdPriority LOW 37
- TI-2018-12076 Out-of-bounds read in systemdPriority LOW 18
- Advisory ·
The systemd Project systemd — RHSA-2019:0204
2 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 1 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2018-12074 Resource allocation without limits in systemdPriority LOW 37
- Advisory ·
The systemd Project systemd — RHSA-2019:0271
2 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 1 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2018-12074 Resource allocation without limits in systemdPriority LOW 37
- Advisory ·
The systemd Project systemd — RHSA-2019:0342
2 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 1 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2018-12074 Resource allocation without limits in systemdPriority LOW 37
- Advisory ·
The systemd Project systemd — RHSA-2019:0361
2 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 1 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2018-12074 Resource allocation without limits in systemdPriority LOW 37
- Advisory ·
The systemd Project systemd — RHSA-2019:2402
2 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 1 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2018-12074 Resource allocation without limits in systemdPriority LOW 37
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Important. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| RHEL 7-based RHEV-H for RHEV 4 (build requirements) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0342 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0049 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0049 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0049 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode EUS (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0271 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode EUS (v. 7.5) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0204 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0049 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional EUS (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0271 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional EUS (v. 7.5) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0204 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0049 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server AUS (v. 7.3) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2402 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server E4S (v. 7.3) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2402 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0271 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.5) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0204 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0049 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional AUS (v. 7.3) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2402 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional E4S (v. 7.3) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2402 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional EUS (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0271 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional EUS (v. 7.5) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0204 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional TUS (v. 7.3) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2402 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server TUS (v. 7.3) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2402 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0049 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0049 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0049 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0049 |
| Red Hat Virtualization 4 Hypervisor for RHEL 7 | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0342, RHSA-2019:0361 |
| Red Hat Virtualization 4 Management Agent for RHEL 7 Hosts | Fixed | RHSA-2019:0361 |
Not affected: 1 product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2018-16865
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-cwf3-gffj-25fm
References
Patch 2
Advisory 17
- RHSA-2019:0342
- [debian-lts-announce] 20190123 [SECURITY] [DLA 1639-1] systemd security update
- DSA-4367
- RHSA-2019:0204
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20190117-0001/
- USN-3855-1
- RHSA-2019:0049
- RHSA-2019:0271
- RHSA-2019:0361
- GLSA-201903-07
- RHBA-2019:0327
- [oss-security] 20190510 Re: System Down: A systemd-journald exploit
- 20190513 Re: System Down: A systemd-journald exploit
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/152841/System-Down-A-systemd-journald-Exploit.html
- 20190513 Re: System Down: A systemd-journald exploit
- RHSA-2019:2402
- [oss-security] 20210720 CVE-2021-33910: Denial of service (stack exhaustion) in systemd (PID 1)
More Systemd vulnerabilities
- TI-2023-11736 systemd before 247 does not adequately block local privilege escalation for some Sudo… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2017-06857 In systemd through 233, certain sizes passed to dns_packet_new in systemd-resolved can… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2026-29031 In nspawn in systemd 233 through 259 before 260, an escape-to-host action can occur via a crafted optional config file. CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.4
- TI-2022-04038 Information disclosure in systemd CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.5
- TI-2025-04111 Systemd-coredump: race condition that allows a local attacker to crash a suid program and… CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 4.7
- TI-2017-11647 In systemd 223 through 235, a remote DNS server can respond with a custom crafted DNS… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
Sources
- CVE-2018-16865 · CVE Program
- CVE-2018-16865 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-cwf3-gffj-25fm · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2018-16865 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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