CVE-2018-11138 Quest KACE System Management Appliance Remote Command Execution

Exploited in the wild Critical 9.8 Published 31 May 2018 Updated 13 Aug 2026

Anonymous users can execute arbitrary commands on the Quest KACE System Management Appliance via a vulnerable download script.

Exploited in the wild: Since 25 Mar 2022
Login needed: Not needed
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2018-11138?

CVE-2018-11138 is a critical command injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 31 May 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

Official description

The '/common/download_agent_installer.php' script in the Quest KACE System Management Appliance 8.0.318 is accessible by anonymous users and can be abused to execute arbitrary commands on the system.

Weakness: CWE-78

Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-11138?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Quest Kace System Management Appliance.

How do I fix CVE-2018-11138?

No fix has been published for CVE-2018-11138 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 15 Apr 2022.

Upgrade, and pass arguments to programs as a list instead of through a shell. More about Command injection.

Is CVE-2018-11138 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2018-11138 in the wild since at least 25 Mar 2022, including in ransomware campaigns.

Public exploit code: 1 Metasploit module, 3 Exploit-DB entries and 1 Nuclei template.

Sources

Also known as GHSA-8m62-73pq-x847.