GNU Patch version 2.7.6 contains an input validation vulnerability when processing patch files, specifically the EDITOR_PROGRAM invocation (
Noroxi assessment
Priority: Monitor (action score 33/100)
- The sources we track (CISA KEV, Exploit-DB, Metasploit, Nuclei, GitHub) show no public exploit code or exploitation in the wild.
- Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days: 5.3% (FIRST EPSS); higher than 92.5% of all records.
- Someone with local access to the system can trigger it. No account or password is required. A user must open a link or visit a page. No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
- Fixed version: patch (Alpine:v3.10) 2.7.6-r6; patch (Alpine:v3.7) 2.7.6-r0; patch (Alpine:v3.8) 2.7.6-r4.
Low priority for now. Upgrade to patch (Alpine:v3.10) 2.7.6-r6; patch (Alpine:v3.7) 2.7.6-r0; patch (Alpine:v3.8) 2.7.6-r4 or later.
Generated automatically from the record's data: CVSS (NVD and CNA), CISA KEV and SSVC, FIRST EPSS, exploit sources, fixed versions. How we calculate it
Primary sources: NVD · CVE.org · FIRST EPSS
GNU Patch version 2.7.6 contains an input validation vulnerability when processing patch files, specifically the EDITOR_PROGRAM invocation (using ed) can result in code execution. This attack appear to be exploitable via a patch file processed via the patch utility. This is similar to FreeBSD's CVE-2015-1418 however although they share a common ancestry the code bases have diverged over time.
- Published
- Apr 6, 2018
- Updated
- Jun 16, 2026
- EPSS
- 5.3% · 92th percentile
- CWE
- CWE-20
Report tools
Action score
33
Monitor
Low priority for now.
- CVSS
- 31 / 40 · 7.8 / 10
- CISA KEV
- 0 / 30 · Not listed
- EPSS
- 2 / 30 · 5.3%
Get told when this record changes
- Not in KEV: no record of exploitation in the wild
- No public exploit code on record
- A fix has been released
If any of these changes, we'll tell you in the daily email digest.
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Noroxi analysis
What does it mean in your environment?
The assessment above is generated automatically from the record's data; it doesn't know your environment. Our team verifies on your systems whether this vulnerability is actually exploitable and which mitigation is enough.
We use this product, ask for helpAffected systems
Is your version affected?
Pick the product and type the version you run. It's compared with this record's version ranges in your browser; the version isn't sent anywhere.
| Vendor | Product | CPE |
|---|---|---|
| gnu | patch | cpe:2.3:a:gnu:patch |
| canonical | ubuntu linux | cpe:2.3:o:canonical:ubuntu_linux |
| debian | debian linux | cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux |
| redhat | enterprise linux desktop | cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_desktop |
| redhat | enterprise linux server | cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server |
| redhat | enterprise linux server aus | cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_aus |
| redhat | enterprise linux server eus | cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_eus |
| redhat | enterprise linux server tus | cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_server_tus |
| redhat | enterprise linux workstation | cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux_workstation |
Affected versions
NVD version ranges (for catalog products). Add the product to your stack with a version and matching uses these.
- canonical ubuntu linux12.04
- canonical ubuntu linux14.04
- canonical ubuntu linux16.04
- canonical ubuntu linux17.10
- debian debian linux7.0
- gnu patch2.7.6
- redhat enterprise linux desktop6.0
- redhat enterprise linux desktop7.0
- redhat enterprise linux server6.0
- redhat enterprise linux server7.0
- redhat enterprise linux server aus6.4
- redhat enterprise linux server aus6.5
- redhat enterprise linux server aus6.6
- redhat enterprise linux server aus7.2
- redhat enterprise linux server aus7.3
- redhat enterprise linux server aus7.4
- redhat enterprise linux server aus7.6
- redhat enterprise linux server eus6.7
- redhat enterprise linux server eus7.3
- redhat enterprise linux server eus7.4
Package-level exposure
OSV and GitHub Advisory data: ecosystem, package and range. SBOM matching uses this table.
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine:v3.10 | patch | before 2.7.6-r6 | 2.7.6-r6 |
| Alpine:v3.7 | patch | before 2.7.6-r0 | 2.7.6-r0 |
| Alpine:v3.8 | patch | before 2.7.6-r4 | 2.7.6-r4 |
| Debian:12 | patch | before 2.7.6-2 | 2.7.6-2 |
| Debian:7 | patch | before 2.6.1-3+deb7u1 | 2.6.1-3+deb7u1 |
| openSUSE:Tumbleweed | patch | before 2.7.6-3.43 | 2.7.6-3.43 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | patch | before 0:2.6-8.el6_9 | 0:2.6-8.el6_9 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | patch-debuginfo | before 0:2.6-8.el6_9 | 0:2.6-8.el6_9 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::client | patch | before 0:2.7.1-10.el7_5 | 0:2.7.1-10.el7_5 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:7::client | patch-debuginfo | before 0:2.7.1-10.el7_5 | 0:2.7.1-10.el7_5 |
| Red Hat:rhel_aus:6.4::server | patch | before 0:2.6-8.el6_4 | 0:2.6-8.el6_4 |
| Red Hat:rhel_aus:6.4::server | patch-debuginfo | before 0:2.6-8.el6_4 | 0:2.6-8.el6_4 |
| Red Hat:rhel_aus:6.5::server | patch | before 0:2.6-8.el6_5 | 0:2.6-8.el6_5 |
| Red Hat:rhel_aus:6.5::server | patch-debuginfo | before 0:2.6-8.el6_5 | 0:2.6-8.el6_5 |
| Red Hat:rhel_aus:6.6::server | patch | before 0:2.6-8.el6_6 | 0:2.6-8.el6_6 |
| Red Hat:rhel_aus:6.6::server | patch-debuginfo | before 0:2.6-8.el6_6 | 0:2.6-8.el6_6 |
| Red Hat:rhel_aus:7.2::server | patch | before 0:2.7.1-10.el7_2 | 0:2.7.1-10.el7_2 |
| Red Hat:rhel_aus:7.2::server | patch-debuginfo | before 0:2.7.1-10.el7_2 | 0:2.7.1-10.el7_2 |
| Red Hat:rhel_eus:6.7::computenode | patch | before 0:2.6-8.el6_7 | 0:2.6-8.el6_7 |
| Red Hat:rhel_eus:6.7::computenode | patch-debuginfo | before 0:2.6-8.el6_7 | 0:2.6-8.el6_7 |
| Red Hat:rhel_eus:7.3::computenode | patch | before 0:2.7.1-10.el7_3 | 0:2.7.1-10.el7_3 |
| Red Hat:rhel_eus:7.3::computenode | patch-debuginfo | before 0:2.7.1-10.el7_3 | 0:2.7.1-10.el7_3 |
| Red Hat:rhel_eus:7.4::computenode | patch | before 0:2.7.1-10.el7_4 | 0:2.7.1-10.el7_4 |
| Red Hat:rhel_eus:7.4::computenode | patch-debuginfo | before 0:2.7.1-10.el7_4 | 0:2.7.1-10.el7_4 |
+2
Same product
gnu: all recordsOther highest-scoring records for the same primary product.
- CVE-2018-6951An issue was discovered in GNU patch through 2.7.6.33Monitor
- CVE-2015-1395Directory traversal vulnerability in GNU patch versions which support Git-style patching before 2.7.3 allows remote attackers to write to ar33Monitor
- CVE-2018-20969do_ed_script in pch.c in GNU patch through 2.7.6 does not block strings beginning with a ! character.32Monitor
Published before and after this one in the same product
- ← EarlierCVE-2016-10713Feb 13, 2018 · An issue was discovered in GNU patch before 2.7.6.22Monitor
- ← EarlierCVE-2018-6952Feb 13, 2018 · A double free exists in the another_hunk function in pch.c in GNU patch through 2.7.6.32Monitor
- Later →CVE-2019-13636Jul 17, 2019 · In GNU patch through 2.7.6, the following of symlinks is mishandled in certain cases other than input files.24Monitor
Remediation
Which version to upgrade to
Fix versions compiled from the vendor, package registries and Microsoft. Verify the vendor's note before upgrading.
| Product / package | Fixed version | Source |
|---|---|---|
| alpine:patch | 2.7.6-r6 · Alpine:v3.10 | Package registry (OSV) |
| debian:patch | 2.7.6-2 · Debian:12 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:patch | 2.7.6-3.43 · openSUSE:Tumbleweed | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:patch | 0:2.6-8.el6_9 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:patch-debuginfo | 0:2.6-8.el6_9 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:6::client | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:patch | 2.7.5-8.5.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP3 | Package registry (OSV) |
Exploit status
No known public exploit
No public exploit has been observed yet. That doesn't mean you're safe, only that the bar is a little higher.
Research context
For pentesters and researchers: attack profile, score disagreement, timeline, patch commits, credits, variant and chain candidates, bug bounty scope. All derived from existing data; no exploit code.
Timeline
From publication to today: proof of concept, Metasploit module, CISA KEV and fix record. Dates are as reported by the sources.
No dated events beyond publication.
FIRST EPSS daily score; only changes of 0.01 or more are recorded (step chart).
Patch and commit links
Commit, PR and diff links among the references. A starting point for patch-diffing and variant hunting; fixes, not exploits.
No commit or PR link among the references.
Credits
All researchersFinders, reporters and analysts named in the CNA record. Click a name for that researcher’s other records.
No credits in the CNA record.
Variant candidates
Same product, same weakness class, within 18 months. If the patch missed the root cause, the sibling bug is here.
No nightly-computed relations.
Chain candidates
An authentication bypass and a privilege-requiring bug in the same product, published close together: combined they may become an unauthenticated path.
—
Bug bounty scope
No known public program.
Source: bounty-targets-data (public HackerOne, Bugcrowd, Intigriti, YesWeHack listings).
Technical details
Attack conditions
- Someone with local access to the system can trigger it.
- No account or password is required.
- A user must open a link or visit a page.
- No special conditions are required; it is repeatable.
If successful
- Confidentiality
- high · data can be read
- Integrity
- high · data or configuration can be modified
- Availability
- high · the service can be disrupted
- Attack vector
- Local
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality impact
- High
- Integrity impact
- High
- Availability impact
- High
Weakness class (CWE)
CWE-20 · Improper Input ValidationCVSS vector
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
nvd-primary
Attack context
MITRE CAPEC attack patterns and ATT&CK techniques for this weakness class (CWE). A starting point for detection rules and threat hunting.
Attack patterns (CAPEC)
- Buffer Overflow via Environment VariablesCAPEC-10likelihood: High · High
- Server Side Include (SSI) InjectionCAPEC-101likelihood: High · High
- Cross Zone ScriptingCAPEC-104likelihood: Medium · High
- Command Line Execution through SQL InjectionCAPEC-108likelihood: Low · Very High
- Object Relational Mapping InjectionCAPEC-109likelihood: Low · High
- SQL Injection through SOAP Parameter TamperingCAPEC-110likelihood: High · Very High
- Double EncodingCAPEC-120likelihood: Low · Medium
- Subverting Environment Variable ValuesCAPEC-13likelihood: High · Very High
ATT&CK techniques
- Obfuscated Files or InformationT1027
- Masquerading: Invalid Code SignatureT1036.001
- Steal Web Session CookieT1539
- Subvert Trust Controls: Code SigningT1553.002
- Impair Defenses:Impair Command History LoggingT1562.003
- Hijack Execution Flow:Dynamic Linker HijackingT1574.006
- Hijack Execution Flow:Path Interception by PATH Environment VariableT1574.007
Change log
- Fix✗ → ✓
For records you follow, these changes also arrive as notifications. →
References
Show all references (19 more)Show less
- rachelbythebay.com/w/2018/04/05/bangpatch/
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:1199
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:1200
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2091
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2092
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2093
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2094
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2095
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2096
- access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2018:2097
- bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=894667#19
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/04/msg00013.html
- savannah.gnu.org/bugs/index.php?53566
- seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Aug/29
- seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Jul/54
- security.gentoo.org/glsa/201904-17
- usn.ubuntu.com/3624-1/
- usn.ubuntu.com/3624-2/
- web.archive.org/web/20180405231329/https://twitter.com/kurtseifried/status/982028968877436928
Vendor advisories and official records. Exploit/PoC links are deliberately left out.