Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
FreeRDP versions before 2.0.0-rc4 can crash during NTLM authentication because the code reads outside expected memory bounds. The practical impact is denial of service for users or automation relying on FreeRDP. Sources do not provide CVSS scoring or evidence of active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat this as a focused remediation item for systems that depend on FreeRDP. It is not documented as actively exploited, but patching reduces crash risk in remote access workflows.
Technical view
CVE-2018-8789 is a CWE-126 out-of-bounds read in FreeRDP's NTLM authentication module. The stated result is a segmentation fault and denial of service. The affected range is all FreeRDP versions prior to 2.0.0-rc4, with upstream and Linux distribution advisories indicating security updates.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Linux desktops, jump hosts, tooling, or embedded workflows using FreeRDP clients older than 2.0.0-rc4 or unpatched distro packages.
Exploitation context
The sources frame this as part of reverse RDP research affecting RDP clients. No KEV entry or cited source in the bundle confirms active exploitation for this CVE.
Researcher notes
The public description is narrow: several NTLM authentication out-of-bounds reads causing segfault. Avoid assuming code execution for this CVE without separate evidence, despite broader reverse RDP research covering multiple issues.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade FreeRDP to 2.0.0-rc4 or later where available.
- Apply vendor security updates from Debian, Ubuntu, or your distribution.
- Limit FreeRDP use with untrusted RDP servers until patched.
- Check FreeRDP upstream and OS vendor guidance for supported fixed builds.
Validation and detection
- Inventory systems and containers with FreeRDP installed.
- Confirm package versions are not earlier than 2.0.0-rc4 or vendor-fixed builds.
- Review Debian and Ubuntu advisory applicability for managed hosts.
- Check remote desktop workflows that connect to external or third-party RDP servers.
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-126: 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 lookupCVE-2018-8789 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://github.com/FreeRDP/FreeRDP/commit/2ee663f39dc8dac3d9988e847db19b2d7e3ac8c6CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- [debian-lts-announce] 20190209 [SECURITY] [DLA 1666-1] freerdp security updateCVE reference · mailing-list, x_refsource_MLIST
- USN-3845-1CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_UBUNTU
- https://research.checkpoint.com/reverse-rdp-attack-code-execution-on-rdp-clients/CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- USN-3845-2CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_UBUNTU
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 Over-read
Buffer Over-read represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.