Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2018-1083 is a zsh autocomplete buffer overflow. A local user can create a malicious directory path that triggers code execution when another user uses autocomplete while traversing it. The business risk is highest on shared Unix/Linux systems where administrators use zsh.
Executive priority
Treat this as a targeted local privilege risk, not an internet-scale emergency. Patch promptly on shared and administrative Unix/Linux systems, especially where untrusted users can create paths that privileged users may browse.
Technical view
Zsh before 5.4.2-test-1 is affected by a CWE-120 buffer overflow in shell autocomplete handling. The documented attack condition is local: a specially crafted directory path can cause code execution in the autocomplete user's context, with privilege escalation if that user is privileged.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to systems running vulnerable zsh versions, especially multi-user servers, developer workstations, jump hosts, and administrative environments where users navigate shared paths with autocomplete.
Exploitation context
The supplied sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. Exploitation requires local placement of a crafted path and a separate user action involving autocomplete, but impact can be severe for privileged zsh users.
Researcher notes
The bundle identifies zsh before 5.4.2-test-1 and CWE-120. It does not provide CVSS details or evidence of active exploitation. Keep analysis scoped to autocomplete-triggered local code execution and vendor-supplied package fixes.
Mitigation direction
- Update zsh through the operating system vendor security advisory channel.
- Prioritize shared systems and hosts where administrators use zsh interactively.
- Check Ubuntu, Gentoo, Red Hat, and Debian advisories for fixed package versions.
- Reduce unnecessary local shell access on shared systems.
- Avoid relying on shell behavior workarounds without vendor guidance.
Validation and detection
- Inventory installed zsh versions and compare against vendor fixed packages.
- Identify hosts where zsh is an enabled login shell for privileged users.
- Review shared writable directories accessible to untrusted local users.
- Confirm relevant vendor advisories are applied in package management records.
- Document any unsupported systems still running vulnerable zsh builds.
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.
CWE-120: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution 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 lookupPrivilege behavior lookup
The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2018-1083 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
- USN-3608-1CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_UBUNTU
- GLSA-201805-10CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_GENTOO
- https://sourceforge.net/p/zsh/code/ci/259ac472eac291c8c103c7a0d8a4eaf3c2942ed7CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- RHSA-2018:1932CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1557382CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- [debian-lts-announce] 20180331 [SECURITY] [DLA 1335-1] zsh security updateCVE reference · mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST
- RHSA-2018:3073CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- [debian-lts-announce] 20201201 [SECURITY] [DLA 2470-1] zsh security updateCVE reference · mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST
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.
Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')
Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.