Out-of-bounds read in systemd
Priority LOW 18CWE-125Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Information disclosure
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · None · None
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 25 fixed, 1 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat. Impact type from CWE-125 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
An out of bounds read was discovered in systemd-journald in the way it parses log messages that terminate with a colon ':'. A local attacker can use this flaw to disclose process memory data. Versions from v221 to v239 are vulnerable.
Why it matters now
Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.01051 64th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Public exploit Yes 1 exploit referenceTagged by NVD
Fix Partial Red Hat: 4 advisoriesRed Hat: 25 fixed, 1 without a fix
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 | from v221 to v239 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- systemd Vendorsystemd Affected from v221 to v239 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 27
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:systemd_project:systemd:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 221 – 239 | Vulnerable | systemd |
| 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:netapp:active_iq_performance_analytics_services:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | not specified by NVD | Vulnerable | NetApp |
| cpe:2.3:a:netapp:element_software:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | all versions | Vulnerable | NetApp |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.6 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_compute_node_eus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.6 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
- cpe:2.3:a:systemd_project:systemd:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 221 – 239 Vulnerable ·systemd
- 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:netapp:active_iq_performance_analytics_services:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·NetApp
- cpe:2.3:a:netapp:element_software:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions all versions Vulnerable ·NetApp
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.6 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_compute_node_eus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.6 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
Show 17 more CPE
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_for_ibm_z_systems_\(structure_a\):7_s390x:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7_s390x | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_for_ibm_z_systems_eus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.6 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_for_power_big_endian:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_for_power_big_endian_eus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.6 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_for_power_little_endian:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.0 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_for_power_little_endian_eus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.6 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_for_scientific_computing: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:7.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.4 | 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_for_power_little_endian_update_services_for_sap_solutions:7.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.4 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_for_power_little_endian_update_services_for_sap_solutions:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.6 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_tus:7.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.4 | 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_server_update_services_for_sap_solutions:7.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | 7.4 | Vulnerable | Red Hat |
| cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_update_services_for_sap_solutions: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:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_for_ibm_z_systems_\(structure_a\):7_s390x:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7_s390x Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_for_ibm_z_systems_eus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.6 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_for_power_big_endian:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_for_power_big_endian_eus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.6 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_for_power_little_endian:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_for_power_little_endian_eus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.6 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_for_scientific_computing: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:7.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.4 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_for_power_little_endian_update_services_for_sap_solutions:7.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.4 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_for_power_little_endian_update_services_for_sap_solutions:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.6 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_tus:7.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.4 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_server_update_services_for_sap_solutions:7.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.4 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_update_services_for_sap_solutions:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.6 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
- cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 7.0 Vulnerable ·Red Hat
Remediation
Red Hat 4 advisories
- RHSA-2020:1264 Released 2020-04-01 · Red Hat rating Moderatesystemd security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode EUS (v. 7.5) libgudev1-219-57.el7_5.9, systemd-219-57.el7_5.9, systemd-libs-219-57.el7_5.9 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional EUS (v. 7.5) libgudev1-devel-219-57.el7_5.9, systemd-devel-219-57.el7_5.9, systemd-journal-gateway-219-57.el7_5.9 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.5) libgudev1-219-57.el7_5.9, libgudev1-219-57.el7_5.9.ppc, libgudev1-devel-219-57.el7_5.9 +8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional EUS (v. 7.5) systemd-journal-gateway-219-57.el7_5.9, systemd-networkd-219-57.el7_5.9, systemd-resolved-219-57.el7_5.9 +1
- RHSA-2020:0593 Released 2020-02-25 · Red Hat rating Moderatesystemd security update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server AUS (v. 7.4) libgudev1-219-42.el7_4.20, libgudev1-devel-219-42.el7_4.20, systemd-219-42.el7_4.20 +4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server E4S (v. 7.4) libgudev1-219-42.el7_4.20, libgudev1-devel-219-42.el7_4.20, systemd-219-42.el7_4.20 +4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional AUS (v. 7.4) systemd-journal-gateway-219-42.el7_4.20, systemd-networkd-219-42.el7_4.20, systemd-resolved-219-42.el7_4.20
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional E4S (v. 7.4) systemd-journal-gateway-219-42.el7_4.20, systemd-networkd-219-42.el7_4.20, systemd-resolved-219-42.el7_4.20
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional TUS (v. 7.4) systemd-journal-gateway-219-42.el7_4.20, systemd-networkd-219-42.el7_4.20, systemd-resolved-219-42.el7_4.20
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server TUS (v. 7.4) libgudev1-219-42.el7_4.20, libgudev1-devel-219-42.el7_4.20, systemd-219-42.el7_4.20 +4
- RHSA-2019:3222 Released 2019-10-29 · Red Hat rating Moderatesystemd security and bug fix update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode EUS (v. 7.6) libgudev1-219-62.el7_6.11, systemd-219-62.el7_6.11, systemd-libs-219-62.el7_6.11 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional EUS (v. 7.6) libgudev1-devel-219-62.el7_6.11, systemd-devel-219-62.el7_6.11, systemd-journal-gateway-219-62.el7_6.11 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.6) libgudev1-219-62.el7_6.11, libgudev1-219-62.el7_6.11.ppc, libgudev1-devel-219-62.el7_6.11 +8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional EUS (v. 7.6) systemd-journal-gateway-219-62.el7_6.11, systemd-networkd-219-62.el7_6.11, systemd-resolved-219-62.el7_6.11 +1
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7) libgudev1-219-62.el7_6.11, libgudev1-devel-219-62.el7_6.11, systemd-219-62.el7_6.11 +4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server Optional (v. 7) systemd-journal-gateway-219-62.el7_6.11, systemd-networkd-219-62.el7_6.11, systemd-resolved-219-62.el7_6.11
Show 1 more Red Hat advisories
- RHSA-2019:2091 Released 2019-08-06 · Red Hat rating Moderatesystemd security, bug fix, and enhancement update
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) libgudev1-219-67.el7, systemd-219-67.el7, systemd-libs-219-67.el7 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) libgudev1-devel-219-67.el7, systemd-devel-219-67.el7, systemd-journal-gateway-219-67.el7 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7) libgudev1-219-67.el7, systemd-219-67.el7, systemd-libs-219-67.el7 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) libgudev1-devel-219-67.el7, systemd-devel-219-67.el7, systemd-journal-gateway-219-67.el7 +2
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) libgudev1-219-67.el7, libgudev1-219-67.el7.ppc, libgudev1-devel-219-67.el7 +8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) systemd-journal-gateway-219-67.el7, systemd-networkd-219-67.el7, systemd-resolved-219-67.el7 +1
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) libgudev1-219-67.el7, libgudev1-devel-219-67.el7, systemd-219-67.el7 +4
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) systemd-journal-gateway-219-67.el7, systemd-networkd-219-67.el7, systemd-resolved-219-67.el7
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-2018-12075 Resource allocation without limits in systemdPriority MEDIUM 40
- TI-2018-12074 Resource allocation without limits in systemdPriority LOW 37
- Advisory ·
The systemd Project systemd — USN-3855-1
3 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 2 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2018-12075 Resource allocation without limits in systemdPriority MEDIUM 40
- TI-2018-12074 Resource allocation without limits in systemdPriority LOW 37
Show 1 more group
- Advisory ·
The systemd Project systemd — DSA-4367
3 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 2 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2018-12075 Resource allocation without limits in systemdPriority MEDIUM 40
- TI-2018-12074 Resource allocation without limits in systemdPriority LOW 37
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Virtualization 4 | Affected | No fix planned: Will not fix |
| Red Hat Ansible Tower 3.4 for RHEL 7 Server | Fixed | — |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2091 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Client Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2091 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2091 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode EUS (v. 7.5) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1264 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode EUS (v. 7.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:3222 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2091 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional EUS (v. 7.5) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1264 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux ComputeNode Optional EUS (v. 7.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:3222 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2091 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server AUS (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:0593 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server E4S (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:0593 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.5) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1264 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server EUS (v. 7.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:3222 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2091 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional AUS (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:0593 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional E4S (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:0593 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional EUS (v. 7.5) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:1264 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional EUS (v. 7.6) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:3222 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Optional TUS (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:0593 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server TUS (v. 7.4) | Fixed | RHSA-2020:0593 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2091 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:2091 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:3222 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux for ARM and IBM Power LE (POWER9) Server Optional (v. 7) | Fixed | RHSA-2019:3222 |
Not affected: 1 product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2018-16866
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-jr8q-jw7m-4m3m
References
Advisory 11
- DSA-4367
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20190117-0001/
- USN-3855-1
- GLSA-201903-07
- [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-2019:2091
- RHSA-2019:3222
- RHSA-2020:0593
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-2018-16866 · CVE Program
- CVE-2018-16866 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-jr8q-jw7m-4m3m · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2018-16866 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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