How severe is CVE-2018-15749?

CVE-2018-15749 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.

Is CVE-2018-15749 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (23rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-15749?

CVE-2018-15749 primarily affects Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-15749?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2018-15749 published?

CVE-2018-15749 was published on 2018-09-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-15749

CVE-2018-15749 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-134.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.5)
CVSS v2: 2.1
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (23rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-134
Affected product: Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client
Published: 2018-09-06
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The Pulse Secure Desktop (macOS) 5.3RX before 5.3R5 and 9.0R1 has a Format String Vulnerability.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-15749?: The Pulse Secure Desktop (macOS) 5.3RX before 5.3R5 and 9.0R1 has a Format String Vulnerability.
How severe is CVE-2018-15749?: CVE-2018-15749 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2018-15749 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (23rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-15749?: CVE-2018-15749 primarily affects Pulsesecure Pulse Secure Desktop Client. In total, 9 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-15749?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2018-15749 published?: CVE-2018-15749 was published on 2018-09-06 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://kb.pulsesecure.net/articles/Pulse_Security_Advisories/SA43877

Affected products (9)

cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r1:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r1.1:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r2:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r3:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r4:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r4.1:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3r4.2:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:5.3rx:*:*:*:*:mac_os_x:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:pulsesecure:pulse_secure_desktop_client:9.0r1:*:*:*:*:macos:*:*

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Other CWE-134 vulnerabilities

CVE-2012-1851 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Format string vulnerability in the Print Spooler service in Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP2,…
CVE-2012-0242 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Format string vulnerability in Advantech/BroadWin WebAccess before 7.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary…
CVE-2011-2475 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Format string vulnerability in ECTrace.dll in the iMailGateway service in the Internet Mail Gateway in OneBridge Server…
CVE-2011-1568 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Format string vulnerability in the logText function in shmemmgr9.dll in IGSSdataServer.exe 9.00.00.11074, and…
CVE-2010-4235 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Format string vulnerability in RealNetworks Helix Server 12.x, 13.x, and 14.x before 14.2, and Helix Mobile Server…
CVE-2011-0270 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Format string vulnerability in nnmRptConfig.exe in HP OpenView Network Node Manager (OV NNM) 7.51 and 7.53 allows…

Browse all CWE-134 vulnerabilities →