Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2018-1000885 is a command injection issue in PHKP. A public HKP lookup endpoint could let a remote attacker manipulate GPG keys or run commands on the server. The supplied data does not identify affected releases beyond a commit, a CVSS score, or a confirmed patch.
Executive priority
Prioritize internet-facing PHKP instances for same-cycle assessment. The business urgency is high if the service is public because the reported impact includes remote command execution. Confidence in exact scope is limited by missing affected-version and patch data.
Technical view
The reported flaw is improper neutralization of command elements in pgp_exec() in phkp.php around line 98. The described attack vector is the HKP API path /pks/lookup?search. Source data says impact can include GPG key manipulation or remote command execution.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely where PHKP is deployed with a reachable HKP API, especially public /pks/lookup access. The supplied CVE data lists affected vendor, product, versions, and CPEs as n/a, so inventory confirmation is required.
Exploitation context
The source bundle states the issue appears exploitable through /pks/lookup?search. It does not cite in-the-wild exploitation, and the CVE is not marked in CISA KEV. Treat public-facing instances as urgent because the described impact is remote command execution.
Researcher notes
The record lacks CVSS, CWE mapping, CPEs, and detailed fixed-version data. Use the cited advisory and repository history to establish vulnerable and fixed ranges. Avoid assuming broader OpenPGP keyserver products are affected without direct evidence.
Mitigation direction
- Identify PHKP deployments and whether /pks/lookup is internet reachable.
- Check PHKP project or vendor guidance for a fixed version or commit.
- Apply the supported update when a maintained fix is identified.
- Temporarily restrict external HKP access if the service is not business critical.
- Limit permissions of the account used to invoke GPG operations.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether PHKP code includes commit 88fd9cfdf14ea4b6ac3e3967feea7bcaabb6f03b or nearby vulnerable code.
- Review phkp.php pgp_exec() handling for shell argument neutralization.
- Check access logs for suspicious /pks/lookup?search requests.
- Verify the service account cannot perform unnecessary system operations.
- Document whether the instance is patched, restricted, or retired.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
Execution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2018-1000885 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://tech.feedyourhead.at/content/full-disclosure-remote-command-execution-in-phkpCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.