CVE-2018-7550

CVE-2018-7550 is a high-severity vulnerability in Qemu with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. 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-125.

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
• CVSS v2: 4.6
• EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (46th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• Weakness: CWE-125
• Affected product: Qemu
• Published: 2018-03-01
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The load_multiboot function in hw/i386/multiboot.c in Quick Emulator (aka QEMU) allows local guest OS users to execute arbitrary code on the QEMU host via a mh_load_end_addr value greater than mh_bss_end_addr, which triggers an out-of-bounds read or write memory access.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-7550?

The load_multiboot function in hw/i386/multiboot.c in Quick Emulator (aka QEMU) allows local guest OS users to execute arbitrary code on the QEMU host via a mh_load_end_addr value greater than mh_bss_end_addr, which triggers an out-of-bounds read or write memory access.

How severe is CVE-2018-7550?

CVE-2018-7550 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, 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-2018-7550 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (46th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-7550?

CVE-2018-7550 primarily affects Qemu. In total, 18 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-7550?

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-2018-7550 published?

CVE-2018-7550 was published on 2018-03-01 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/103181
• https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:1369
• https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2462
• https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1549798
• https://github.com/orangecertcc/security-research/security/advisories/GHSA-f49v-45qp-cv53
• https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/04/msg00015.html
• https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/04/msg00016.html
• https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/09/msg00007.html
• https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/qemu-devel/2018-02/msg06890.html
• https://usn.ubuntu.com/3649-1/
• https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4213

Affected products (18)

• cpe:2.3:a:qemu:qemu:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• 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:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:14.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:16.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:17.10:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux:18.04:*:*:*:lts:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_aus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_aus:7.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus:7.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_tus:7.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_tus:7.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation:7.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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