# CVE-2018-11529: Use after free in n/a

> Attackers can execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service in VLC media player by tricking users into opening crafted MKV files.

- **Severity:** High 8.0 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 11 Jul 2018
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2018-11529, DSA-4251-1, GHSA-j4p7-jwxh-8774, MGASA-2018-0400, UBUNTU-CVE-2018-11529

## What is CVE-2018-11529?

CVE-2018-11529 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 11 Jul 2018. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

VideoLAN VLC media player 2.2.x is prone to a use after free vulnerability which an attacker can leverage to execute arbitrary code via crafted MKV files. Failed exploit attempts will likely result in denial of service conditions.

Weakness: CWE-416 (Use After Free)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-11529?

It affects 2 products.


Products: Debian Debian Linux, Videolan Vlc Media Player.

## How do I fix CVE-2018-11529?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2018-11529 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2018-11529 exists.

Public exploit code:

- VLC Media Player MKV Use After Free (metasploit)
- VLC Media Player - MKV Use-After-Free (Metasploit) (exploitdb)
- VLC Media Player - MKV Use-After-Free (Metasploit) (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Debian Debian Linux

- [CVE-2015-3306](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-3306/): ProFTPD Improper Access Control (critical 10.0, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-49113](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-49113/): RoundCube Webmail Deserialization of Untrusted Data (critical 9.9, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2026-24061](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-24061/): GNU InetUtils Argument Injection (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-39682](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-39682/): Linux Kernel Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-9680](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-9680/): Mozilla Firefox Use-After-Free (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2018-11529 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2018-11529 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 11 Jul 2018. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2018-11529 exists.

Affected product: Debian Debian Linux. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-11529/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-11529/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-11529
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-11529
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2018-11529

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-11529/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.