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CVE Record

CVE-2018-7687: Client for OES Elevation of Privilege via Buffer Overflow

The Micro Focus Client for OES before version 2 SP4 IR8a has a vulnerability that could allow a local attacker to elevate privileges via a buffer overflow in ncfsd.sys.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a local privilege escalation flaw in Micro Focus Client for Open Enterprise Server. A user who already has local access could abuse a buffer overflow in ncfsd.sys to gain higher privileges on the affected machine.

Executive priority

Treat as high priority where Client for OES is deployed on user-accessible systems. It is not a remote internet-facing issue, but it can materially increase damage after an initial endpoint compromise.

Technical view

CVE-2018-7687 affects Micro Focus Client for OES before 2 SP4 IR8a. The issue is a local buffer overflow in the ncfsd.sys driver, rated CVSS 7.8, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to endpoints or servers with the affected Micro Focus Client for Open Enterprise Server installed. The attacker needs local privileges, so risk is highest on shared systems, user workstations, and environments where endpoint compromise could lead to administrative escalation.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show active exploitation, and the CVE is not listed as KEV. The vulnerability is still serious because local privilege escalation can convert a low-privileged foothold into full system control.

Researcher notes

The source bundle identifies ncfsd.sys and a local buffer overflow, but does not provide CWE detail, exploit evidence, or deeper root-cause analysis. Validate exposure by product version and driver presence rather than broad Micro Focus ownership.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory systems running Micro Focus Client for Open Enterprise Server.
  • Upgrade vulnerable clients to 2 SP4 IR8a or later per vendor guidance.
  • Restrict local interactive access on systems where the client is installed.
  • Monitor vendor advisories for any superseding fixes or support notes.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm installed Client for OES versions across managed endpoints.
  • Verify vulnerable systems are not below 2 SP4 IR8a.
  • Check whether ncfsd.sys is present on in-scope systems.
  • Review endpoint privilege boundaries for users with local access.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

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

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

description · low confidence lookup

Privilege 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 lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2018-7687 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

Open ATT&CK lookup
Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

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
3Source 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
7.8CVSS 3.0HighCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.0 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.0 vector shape for CVE-2018-7687Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

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
Micro FocusClient for Open Enterprise Server2 SP4 (IR8a)Listed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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