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CVE Record

CVE-2018-3837: An exploitable information disclosure vulnerability exists in the PCX image rendering functionality of Simp...

An exploitable information disclosure vulnerability exists in the PCX image rendering functionality of Simple DirectMedia Layer SDL2_image-2.0.2. A specially crafted PCX image can cause an out-of-bounds read on the heap, resulting in information disclosure . An attacker can display a specially crafted image to trigger this vulnerability.

MediumCVSS 5.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2018-3837 is an information disclosure flaw in SDL2_image 2.0.2 when rendering PCX images. If a target application displays a malicious PCX file, the bug can read memory outside the intended heap buffer and potentially expose sensitive data. The public bundle does not show active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted confidentiality risk, not an enterprise-wide emergency. Prioritize systems that process user-supplied images or third-party media. Patch through normal vulnerability management unless those workflows handle sensitive data or are externally reachable.

Technical view

The issue is an out-of-bounds heap read in the PCX image rendering path of Simple DirectMedia Layer SDL2_image 2.0.2. The CVSS vector indicates network reachability, high attack complexity, no privileges required, required user interaction, and high confidentiality impact, with no integrity or availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely in applications, appliances, or packaged software that include SDL2_image 2.0.2 and process untrusted PCX images. Organizations should not rely only on product names, because the CVE description and advisories center on the SDL2_image library component.

Exploitation context

The described trigger is displaying a specially crafted PCX image. The source bundle marks KEV as false and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation. Exploitation also requires user interaction and high attack complexity, reducing urgency compared with remotely exploitable code execution flaws.

Researcher notes

CVE metadata lists Cisco Systems, Inc. and “Simple Direct Media,” while the description and advisories identify SDL2_image 2.0.2 PCX rendering. Validate exposure by component version and code path, not just CPE or product naming. No CWE is provided in the bundle.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory systems and applications that include SDL2_image 2.0.2.
  • Review Debian, Gentoo, Talos, StarWind, and upstream/vendor guidance for fixed packages.
  • Apply vendor-supported updates where available for affected SDL image packages.
  • Limit or block untrusted PCX image processing until remediation is confirmed.
  • Prioritize internet-facing or user-upload workflows that render images automatically.

Validation and detection

  • Check package managers, SBOMs, and build manifests for SDL2_image 2.0.2.
  • Map whether affected components can receive or display PCX files from users.
  • Confirm installed package versions align with applicable vendor advisories.
  • Verify image-rendering paths are updated, disabled, or shielded from untrusted input.
  • Record exceptions where the library exists but PCX input is unreachable.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
7

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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CVE-2018-3837 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.3 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
6Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
5.3CVSS 3.0MediumCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N1.63.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

5.3Medium
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2018-3837Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
Cisco Systems, Inc.Simple Direct MediaSimple DirectMedia LayerSDL2_image 2.0.2Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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