CVE-2018-1121

What it is

procps-ng, procps is vulnerable to a process hiding through race condition. Since the kernel's proc_pid_readdir() returns PID entries in ascending numeric order, a process occupying a high PID can use inotify events to determine when the process list is being scanned, and fork/exec to obtain a lower PID, thus avoiding enumeration. An unprivileged attacker can hide a process from procps-ng's utilities by exploiting a race condition in reading /proc/PID entries. This vulnerability affects procps and procps-ng up to version 3.3.15, newer versions might be affected also.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account, but needs a user to act. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

4.1% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

No patch or advisory is linked yet. Look at mitigations or restrict exposure.

Timeline

1. 2018-06-13 20:29 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 01:50 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 4.1% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 3.9 LOW (CVSS).
• Fix: none linked yet, which raises it.

Details

Published

2018-06-13 20:29 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 01:50 UTC

Exploit probability

4.1% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-367

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Procps Project Procps ≤ 3.3.15

Attack profile CVSS 3.0 · 3.9

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

Required

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

Low

Availability

Low

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2018-1121.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2018-1121. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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