CVE-2018-17188
CVE-2018-17188 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Couchdb with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.2)
- CVSS v2: 6.5
- EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (87th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Affected product: Apache Couchdb
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Prior to CouchDB version 2.3.0, CouchDB allowed for runtime-configuration of key components of the database. In some cases, this lead to vulnerabilities where CouchDB admin users could access the underlying operating system as the CouchDB user. Together with other vulnerabilities, it allowed full system entry for unauthenticated users. Rather than waiting for new vulnerabilities to be discovered, and fixing them as they come up, the CouchDB development team decided to make changes to avoid this entire class of vulnerabilities.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2018-17188?
- Prior to CouchDB version 2.3.0, CouchDB allowed for runtime-configuration of key components of the database. In some cases, this lead to vulnerabilities where CouchDB admin users could access the underlying operating system as the CouchDB user. Together with other vulnerabilities, it allowed full system entry for unauthenticated users. Rather than waiting for new vulnerabilities to be discovered, and fixing them as they come up, the CouchDB development team decided to make changes to avoid this entire class of vulnerabilities.
- How severe is CVE-2018-17188?
- CVE-2018-17188 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2018-17188 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (87th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2018-17188?
- CVE-2018-17188 affects Apache Couchdb. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2018-17188?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2018-17188 published?
- CVE-2018-17188 was published on 2019-01-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://blog.couchdb.org/2018/12/17/cve-2018-17188/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/S5FPHVVU5KMRFKQTJPAM3TBGC7LKCWQS/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/X3JOUCX7LHDV4YWZDQNXT5NTKKRANZQW/
- https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-hpesbmu03935en_us
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:couchdb:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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