CVE-2018-16791
CVE-2018-16791 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Solarwinds Sftp/scp Server with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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-522.
Key facts
- Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
- CVSS v2: 5.0
- EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (72nd percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-522
- Affected product: Solarwinds Sftp/scp Server
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
In SolarWinds SFTP/SCP Server through 2018-09-10, the configuration file is world readable and writable, and stores user passwords in an insecure manner, allowing an attacker to determine passwords for potentially privileged accounts. This also grants the attacker an ability to backdoor the server.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2018-16791?
- In SolarWinds SFTP/SCP Server through 2018-09-10, the configuration file is world readable and writable, and stores user passwords in an insecure manner, allowing an attacker to determine passwords for potentially privileged accounts. This also grants the attacker an ability to backdoor the server.
- How severe is CVE-2018-16791?
- CVE-2018-16791 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-2018-16791 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (72nd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2018-16791?
- CVE-2018-16791 affects Solarwinds Sftp/scp Server. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2018-16791?
- 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-2018-16791 published?
- CVE-2018-16791 was published on 2018-12-05 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:solarwinds:sftp\/scp_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Solarwinds Sftp/scp Server
- CVE-2018-16792 — Critical (CVSS 9.1): SolarWinds SFTP/SCP server through 2018-09-10 is vulnerable to XXE via a world readable and writable configuration file…
All CVEs affecting Solarwinds Sftp/scp Server →
Other CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials) vulnerabilities
- CVE-2026-7312 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): CWE‑522: Insufficiently Protected Credentials in web services in Progress Sitefinity version from 14.0.7700 to…
- CVE-2026-29128 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): IDC SFX2100 Satellite Receiver firmware ships with multiple daemon configuration files for routing components (e.g.,…
- CVE-2025-54863 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Radiometrics VizAir is vulnerable to exposure of the system's REST API key through a publicly accessible configuration…
- CVE-2024-12799 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerability in OpenText Identity Manager Advanced Edition on Windows, Linux, 64…
- CVE-2024-51545 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Username Enumeration vulnerabilities allow access to application level username add, delete, modify and list…
- CVE-2023-1778 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): This vulnerability exists in GajShield Data Security Firewall firmware versions prior to v4.28 (except v4.21) due to…
Browse all CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials) vulnerabilities →