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CVE Record

CVE-2018-20354: An invalid read of 8 bytes due to a use-after-free vulnerability during a "return" in the mg_http_get_proto...

An invalid read of 8 bytes due to a use-after-free vulnerability during a "return" in the mg_http_get_proto_data function in mongoose.c in Cesanta Mongoose Embedded Web Server Library 6.13 and earlier allows a denial of service (application crash) or remote code execution.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This CVE affects Cesanta Mongoose Embedded Web Server Library 6.13 and earlier. A memory safety bug can crash an application and may allow remote code execution. Business urgency depends on whether the library is embedded in internet-facing products or services.

Executive priority

Treat this as a high-priority embedded component risk when Mongoose 6.13 or earlier is remotely reachable. If exposure is internal-only or unconfirmed, prioritize inventory first, then patch planning.

Technical view

The issue is a use-after-free invalid 8-byte read in mg_http_get_proto_data in mongoose.c during return handling. The CVE description states denial of service through application crash or possible remote code execution. No CVSS, CWE, patch, or detailed affected product metadata is provided.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely in software, appliances, firmware, or services embedding Mongoose Embedded Web Server Library 6.13 or earlier, especially where HTTP handling is reachable remotely.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. It includes a public fuzzing-related GitHub reference, but no verified exploit status, exploitation prevalence, or weaponized details.

Researcher notes

The CVE metadata is sparse: affected vendor/product fields are n/a, and no CVSS is supplied. The description names the library and version boundary, so validation should focus on embedded dependency discovery and vendor-specific remediation evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory products and codebases for Mongoose Embedded Web Server Library 6.13 or earlier.
  • Check Cesanta or product-vendor guidance for fixed versions or supported remediation.
  • Prioritize remediation for internet-facing or unauthenticated HTTP endpoints.
  • Reduce external exposure where affected embedded HTTP services cannot be quickly updated.
  • Monitor affected services for abnormal crashes or restarts.

Validation and detection

  • Search SBOMs, source trees, and firmware manifests for Mongoose or mongoose.c.
  • Confirm whether mg_http_get_proto_data exists in the deployed library version.
  • Map affected instances to public, partner, or internal network exposure.
  • Check vendor advisories for product-specific affected versions and fixes.
  • Review crash telemetry for recurring failures in embedded HTTP services.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
3

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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

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description · low confidence lookup

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.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2018-20354 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

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.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.