Security readout for executives and security teams
CVE-2018-8797 affects the rdesktop RDP client through version 1.8.3. A malicious or compromised RDP server could trigger memory corruption in the client, with sources describing probable remote code execution. The main business risk is to users or administrators who connect with old rdesktop builds. Exposure is likely where Linux or Unix endpoints, jump hosts, or admin workstations still run rdesktop 1.8.3 or earlier, especially when connecting to external, third-party, or potentially compromised RDP servers. Prioritize remediation for administrator workstations and jump hosts. This is an older client-side issue, but probable code execution makes stale rdesktop installations a meaningful exposure when users connect to untrusted or compromised RDP servers. Mitigation focus: Upgrade rdesktop beyond version 1.8.3 where available.; Apply Debian, Gentoo, openSUSE, or other distribution security updates.; Remove rdesktop from systems that no longer require it..
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-122: 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 lookupCVE-2018-8797 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/rdesktop/rdesktop/commit/4dca546d04321a610c1835010b5dad85163b65e1CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- GLSA-201903-06CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_GENTOO
- https://research.checkpoint.com/reverse-rdp-attack-code-execution-on-rdp-clients/CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- DSA-4394CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_DEBIAN
- [debian-lts-announce] 20190219 [SECURITY] [DLA 1683-1] rdesktop 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.
