How severe is CVE-2018-12596?

CVE-2018-12596 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2018-12596 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 22% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-12596?

CVE-2018-12596 primarily affects Episerver Ektron Cms. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-12596?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2018-12596 published?

CVE-2018-12596 was published on 2018-10-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-12596

CVE-2018-12596 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Episerver Ektron Cms with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 22% places it in the 97th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-269.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 22% (97th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-269
Affected product: Episerver Ektron Cms
Published: 2018-10-10
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Episerver Ektron CMS before 9.0 SP3 Site CU 31, 9.1 before SP3 Site CU 45, or 9.2 before SP2 Site CU 22 allows remote attackers to call aspx pages via the "activateuser.aspx" page, even if a page is located under the /WorkArea/ path, which is forbidden (normally available exclusively for local admins).

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-12596?: Episerver Ektron CMS before 9.0 SP3 Site CU 31, 9.1 before SP3 Site CU 45, or 9.2 before SP2 Site CU 22 allows remote attackers to call aspx pages via the "activateuser.aspx" page, even if a page is located under the /WorkArea/ path, which is forbidden (normally available exclusively for local admins).
How severe is CVE-2018-12596?: CVE-2018-12596 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2018-12596 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 22% (97th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-12596?: CVE-2018-12596 primarily affects Episerver Ektron Cms. In total, 8 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-12596?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2018-12596 published?: CVE-2018-12596 was published on 2018-10-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (8)

cpe:2.3:a:episerver:ektron_cms:9.00:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:episerver:ektron_cms:9.00:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:episerver:ektron_cms:9.00:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:episerver:ektron_cms:9.10:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:episerver:ektron_cms:9.10:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:episerver:ektron_cms:9.10:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:episerver:ektron_cms:9.20:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:episerver:ektron_cms:9.20:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*

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