# CVE-2018-1890: Code injection in Runtimes for Java Technology

> Local attackers can exploit absolute RPATHs in IBM Java SDK on AIX to inject code and elevate privileges.

- **Severity:** Medium 5.6 (`CVSS:3.0/A:L/AC:H/AV:L/C:L/I:L/PR:N/S:C/UI:N/E:U/RC:C/RL:O`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 11 Mar 2019
- **Updated:** 13 Feb 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-qwwq-984w-2342

## What is CVE-2018-1890?

CVE-2018-1890 is a medium-severity code injection vulnerability in IBM Runtimes for Java Technology, published on 11 Mar 2019. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

IBM SDK, Java Technology Edition Version 8 on the AIX platform uses absolute RPATHs which may facilitate code injection and privilege elevation by local users. IBM X-Force ID: 152081.

Weakness: CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-1890?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Ibm Sdk.

## How do I fix CVE-2018-1890?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2018-1890 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-1890 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in IBM Runtimes for Java Technology

- [CVE-2017-1289](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-1289/): XML external entity in Runtimes for Java Technology (high 8.2)
- [CVE-2022-40609](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-40609/): IBM SDK, Java Technology Edition code execution (high 8.1)
- [CVE-2016-3956](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-3956/): npm Token Leak in npm (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2018-1656](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-1656/): Path traversal in SDK, Java Technology Edition (high 7.4)
- [CVE-2019-4732](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-4732/): Other in Java (high 7.2)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2018-1890 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2018-1890 is a medium-severity code injection vulnerability in IBM Runtimes for Java Technology, published on 11 Mar 2019. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-1890 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: IBM Runtimes for Java Technology. 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-2018-1890/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-1890/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-1890
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-1890
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2018-1890

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-1890/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.