The read_MSAT_body function in ole.c in libxls 1.4.0 has an invalid free that allows…
Priority MEDIUM 41CWE-119Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.0 · NVD. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-119 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
The read_MSAT_body function in ole.c in libxls 1.4.0 has an invalid free that allows attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted file, because of inconsistent memory management (new versus free) in ole2_read_header in ole.c.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.01505 74th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Public exploit Yes 1 exploit referenceTagged by NVD
Fix No fix listed No fixed version in the sources yet
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2018-20452
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-3hq6-4m9g-pfg4
References
Advisory 1
More Libxls vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-21391 libxls through version 1.6.3 contains a use of uninitialized memory vulnerability in the… CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.5
- TI-2023-20133 Buffer Overflow vulnerability in libxlsv.1.6.2 allows a remote attacker to execute… CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.5
- TI-2023-20132 Buffer Overflow vulnerability in libxlsv.1.6.2 allows a remote attacker to execute… CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.5
- TI-2023-20131 Buffer Overflow vulnerability in libxlsv.1.6.2 allows a remote attacker to execute… CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.5
- TI-2023-20130 Buffer Overflow vulnerability in libxlsv.1.6.2 allows a remote attacker to execute… CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.5
- TI-2023-20128 Buffer Overflow vulnerability in libxlsv.1.6.2 allows a remote attacker to execute… CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.5
Sources
- CVE-2018-20452 · CVE Program
- CVE-2018-20452 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-3hq6-4m9g-pfg4 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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