How severe is CVE-2018-5996?

CVE-2018-5996 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2018-5996 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (85th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-5996?

CVE-2018-5996 primarily affects 7-zip. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-5996?

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-2018-5996 published?

CVE-2018-5996 was published on 2018-01-31 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-5996

CVE-2018-5996 is a high-severity vulnerability in 7-zip 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-119.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 6.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 3% (85th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-119
Affected product: 7-zip
Published: 2018-01-31
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Insufficient exception handling in the method NCompress::NRar3::CDecoder::Code of 7-Zip before 18.00 and p7zip can lead to multiple memory corruptions within the PPMd code, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) or execute arbitrary code via a crafted RAR archive.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-5996?: Insufficient exception handling in the method NCompress::NRar3::CDecoder::Code of 7-Zip before 18.00 and p7zip can lead to multiple memory corruptions within the PPMd code, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) or execute arbitrary code via a crafted RAR archive.
How severe is CVE-2018-5996?: CVE-2018-5996 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2018-5996 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 3% (85th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-5996?: CVE-2018-5996 primarily affects 7-zip. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-5996?: 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-2018-5996 published?: CVE-2018-5996 was published on 2018-01-31 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (5)

cpe:2.3:a:7-zip:7-zip:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:7-zip:p7zip:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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