How severe is CVE-2018-5546?

CVE-2018-5546 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2018-5546 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (36th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-5546?

CVE-2018-5546 primarily affects F5 Big-ip Access Policy Manager Client. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-5546?

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-2018-5546 published?

CVE-2018-5546 was published on 2018-08-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-5546

CVE-2018-5546 is a high-severity vulnerability in F5 Big-ip Access Policy Manager Client with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. 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-732.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (36th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-732
Affected product: F5 Big-ip Access Policy Manager Client
Published: 2018-08-17
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The svpn and policyserver components of the F5 BIG-IP APM client prior to version 7.1.7.1 for Linux and macOS runs as a privileged process and can allow an unprivileged user to get ownership of files owned by root on the local client host. A malicious local unprivileged user may gain knowledge of sensitive information, manipulate certain data, or assume super-user privileges on the local client host.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-5546?: The svpn and policyserver components of the F5 BIG-IP APM client prior to version 7.1.7.1 for Linux and macOS runs as a privileged process and can allow an unprivileged user to get ownership of files owned by root on the local client host. A malicious local unprivileged user may gain knowledge of sensitive information, manipulate certain data, or assume super-user privileges on the local client host.
How severe is CVE-2018-5546?: CVE-2018-5546 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2018-5546 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (36th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-5546?: CVE-2018-5546 primarily affects F5 Big-ip Access Policy Manager Client. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-5546?: 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-2018-5546 published?: CVE-2018-5546 was published on 2018-08-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_access_policy_manager_client:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:f5:big-ip_access_policy_manager:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in F5 Big-ip Access Policy Manager Client

CVE-2020-5897 — High (CVSS 8.8): In versions 7.1.5-7.1.9, there is use-after-free memory vulnerability in the BIG-IP Edge Client Windows ActiveX…
CVE-2021-23022 — High (CVSS 7.8): On version 7.2.1.x before 7.2.1.3 and 7.1.x before 7.1.9.9 Update 1, the BIG-IP Edge Client Windows Installer Service's…
CVE-2020-5896 — High (CVSS 7.8): On versions 7.1.5-7.1.9, the BIG-IP Edge Client's Windows Installer Service's temporary folder has weak file and folder…
CVE-2018-5547 — High (CVSS 7.8): Windows Logon Integration feature of F5 BIG-IP APM client prior to version 7.1.7.1 for Windows by default uses Legacy…
CVE-2019-6656 — High (CVSS 7.5): BIG-IP APM Edge Client before version 7.1.8 (7180.2019.508.705) logs the full apm session ID in the log files.…
CVE-2024-28883 — High (CVSS 7.4): An origin validation vulnerability exists in BIG-IP APM browser network access VPN client for Windows, macOS and…

All CVEs affecting F5 Big-ip Access Policy Manager Client →

Other CWE-732 (Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-9508 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Incorrect permission settings on a critical resource in Suprema BioStar 2 (versions 2.9.3 through 2.9.11) that allow…
CVE-2025-14988 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A security issue has been identified in ibaPDA that could allow unauthorized actions on the file system under certain…
CVE-2025-69426 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): The Ruckus vRIoT IoT Controller firmware versions prior to 3.0.0.0 (GA) contain hardcoded credentials for an operating…
CVE-2025-12004 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource vulnerability in The Wikimedia Foundation Mediawiki - Lockdown…
CVE-2014-125121 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Array Networks vAPV (version 8.3.2.17) and vxAG (version 9.2.0.34) appliances are affected by a privilege escalation…
CVE-2025-46093 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): LiquidFiles before 4.1.2 supports FTP SITE CHMOD for mode 6777 (setuid and setgid), which allows FTPDrop users to…

Browse all CWE-732 (Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource) vulnerabilities →