CVE-2018-11138VulnerabilityPublished 03/25/2022Updated 10/24/2026

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

Affects Quest KACE System Management ApplianceSource CISA KEV

Severity

High

No CVSS score published yet

Exploitation: Actively exploited – in CISA KEV since 03/25/2022
KEV deadline: 04/15/2022
Ransomware: Used in ransomware campaigns
EPSS: 91.7% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 99% of CVEs

What to do

CISA required action

Apply updates per vendor instructions.

nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-11138 (opens in a new tab)

Description

CVE-2018-11138 is a remote command execution vulnerability in the Quest KACE System Management Appliance. The vulnerability arises because the '/common/download_agent_installer.php' script is accessible to anonymous users, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands remotely. This vulnerability has been exploited in the wild and is known to have been used in ransomware campaigns.

Summary

The Quest KACE System Management Appliance contains a remote code execution vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11138. The issue is due to the '/common/download_agent_installer.php' script being accessible without authentication, which can be abused by attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. This vulnerability has been observed in active exploitation scenarios, including ransomware campaigns.

Impact

Successful exploitation allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected appliance, potentially leading to full system compromise. This can result in unauthorized access, data loss, or disruption of system management operations. The vulnerability has been exploited in the wild and leveraged in ransomware attacks, indicating a significant real-world impact.

Mitigation

No patch or official remediation information is provided in the available data. Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until a fix is available, restrict access to the '/common/download_agent_installer.php' script by implementing network-level controls or authentication mechanisms to prevent anonymous access.

Weaknesses

CWE-78OS Command Injection (opens in a new tab)

What to do

Description

AnalysisAI-generated, updated 10/24/2026, 10:57:10 UTC

Weaknesses

References

Related threats