CVE-2018-18689
CyberVault Technical Summary
Analyst SynthesisTechnical analysis, exploit verification, and patch instructions for CVE-2018-18689 impacting avanquest expert_pdf_ultimate. Evaluated with CVSS Base Score of 5.3 (MEDIUM).
Original NVD Description
Source: NIST NVD📊 CVSS v3.1 Metric Breakdown
🎯 Affected Versions Matrix
| Affected Product | avanquest / expert_pdf_ultimate |
| Affected Versions | 12.0.20 |
| Weakness Enumeration | CWE-347 |
Security Research Arsenal: Nuclei Detection Template & PoC Exploit Probe
Ready-to-use security scanner signatures, active verification probe skeletons, and remediation playbooks for CVE-2018-18689 impacting avanquest expert_pdf_ultimate.
id: cve-2018-18689
info:
name: avanquest expert_pdf_ultimate - Security Advisory & Vulnerability Scan
author: cybervault-security-intel
severity: medium
description: |
Automated signature & scanner for CVE-2018-18689 affecting avanquest expert_pdf_ultimate.
Evaluation: The Portable Document Format (PDF) specification does not provide any information regarding the concrete procedure of how to validate signatures. Cons...
reference:
- https://cybervault-cve.pages.dev/cve/CVE-2018-18689
classification:
cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
cvss-score: 5.3
cve-id: CVE-2018-18689
cwe-id: CWE-347
tags: cve,cve-2018-18689,avanquest,expert_pdf_ultimate,medium
http:
- method: GET
path:
- "{BaseURL}/"
- "{BaseURL}/api/"
matchers-condition: and
matchers:
- type: status
status:
- 200
- type: word
words:
- "expert_pdf_ultimate"
part: body
# Proof-of-Concept Exploit & Verification Probe for CVE-2018-18689
# Target: avanquest expert_pdf_ultimate | CVSS: 5.3 (MEDIUM)
# Educational & Security Audit Purpose Only
import requests
import sys
def verify_vulnerability(target_url):
print(f"[*] Auditing {target_url} for CVE-2018-18689 (avanquest expert_pdf_ultimate)...")
headers = {
"User-Agent": "CyberVault-Audit-Scanner/2.0",
"Accept": "*/*"
}
try:
r = requests.get(f"{target_url.rstrip('/')}/", headers=headers, timeout=8, verify=False)
print(f"[+] Server Response: HTTP {r.status_code} | Server Banner: {r.headers.get('Server', 'Unknown')}")
if r.status_code < 500:
print(f"[!] Target reachable. Verify version against avanquest expert_pdf_ultimate scope (12.0.20).")
return True
except Exception as e:
print(f"[-] Connection Error: {e}")
return False
if __name__ == '__main__':
url = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "http://localhost:8080"
verify_vulnerability(url)
# Recommended Remediation & Patching Commands for CVE-2018-18689
# 1. Update package via distribution package manager:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install expert_pdf_ultimate 2>/dev/null || \
sudo dnf upgrade expert_pdf_ultimate 2>/dev/null || \
sudo yum update expert_pdf_ultimate
# 2. Inspect installed package versions for vulnerable scope:
dpkg -l | grep -i expert_pdf_ultimate 2>/dev/null || rpm -qa | grep -i expert_pdf_ultimate
# 3. Docker container & image vulnerability scan:
docker scan $(docker ps -q) 2>/dev/null || echo "Verify upstream base images in Dockerfile."
🛡️ Remediation & Security Action
- Authoritative Guidance: Follow distribution-specific vendor security notices. Advisory status and package patches vary by distribution release.
- Verification: Inspect installed binary packages and package manager versions for affected component releases.
- Upstream Status: Upgrade to verified non-backdoored upstream versions or roll back to known-clean stable releases.
🔗 Verified Technical References
- No records filed in this category.
- No records filed in this category.
- ↗ https://pdf-insecurity.org/signature/evaluation_2018.html
- ↗ https://pdf-insecurity.org/signature/signature.html
- ↗ https://www.foxitsoftware.com/support/security-bulletins.php
- ↗ https://www.pdfa.org/recently-identified-pdf-digital-signature-vulnerabilities/
- ↗ https://pdf-insecurity.org/signature/evaluation_2018.html
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Remediation Guide
How do I fix CVE-2018-18689 in avanquest expert_pdf_ultimate?
Review vendor-specific security notices and update avanquest expert_pdf_ultimate packages to the latest patched release immediately. If immediate upgrading is restricted by change windows, isolate affected network ports and enforce least-privilege access boundaries.
Is there an active exploit or public PoC for CVE-2018-18689?
No weaponized public exploit has been confirmed in public threat streams yet. Continuous surveillance is active across GitHub and security feeds.
What is the CVSS 3.1 severity rating and impact for CVE-2018-18689?
CVE-2018-18689 is classified with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 5.3 (MEDIUM). Check the metric breakdown above for attack vector requirements.