CVE-2018-14634: Linux Kernel

Should you act?

Exploited: patch now if you run it

CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.

Yes, if you run Linux Kernel. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-01-26, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2026-02-16; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
EPSS 14.7%, percentile 97: FIRST’s model estimates a 14.7% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 97% of all scored CVEs (very high). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
Needs local access needed. Lower urgency for most teams unless an attacker could already run code on the machine.

What it is

An integer overflow flaw was found in the Linux kernel's createelftables() function. An unprivileged local user with access to SUID (or otherwise privileged) binary could use this flaw to escalate their privileges on the system. Kernel versions 2.6.x, 3.10.x and 4.14.x are believed to be vulnerable.

CISA’s summary

Linux Kernel contains an integer overflow vulnerability in the create_elf_tables() function which could allow an unprivileged local user with access to SUID (or otherwise privileged) binary to escalate their privileges on the system.

Weakness type: CWE-190.

Product: Linux Kernel · Assigned by: redhat · Published: 2018-09-25

Affected and fixed versions

Vendor	Product	Affected versions (per CVE record)
The Linux Foundation	kernel	2.6.x, 3.10.x, 4.14.x

Severity scores

Scored by	CVSS	Score	Vector
redhat	3.0	7.8 High	`CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`

Attack vector: local access needed
Attack complexity: low
Privileges required: low (any account)
User interaction: none
Scope: unchanged

CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.

Exploitation and urgency

CISA KEV: added 2026-01-26; federal due date 2026-02-16. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active, automatable no, technical impact total.
FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 14.69% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 97.

Timeline

2018-09-25 — CVE record published by redhat
2026-01-26 — Added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
2026-01-27 — CVE record last updated
2026-02-16 — CISA remediation deadline for US federal agencies

Sources and references

Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.

Vendor and project advisories, patches

RHSA-2018:3540 access.redhat.com
RHSA-2018:2925 access.redhat.com
RHSA-2018:3591 access.redhat.com
USN-3775-1 usn.ubuntu.com
RHSA-2018:2933 access.redhat.com
USN-3779-1 usn.ubuntu.com
RHSA-2018:2748 access.redhat.com
RHSA-2018:3590 access.redhat.com
USN-3775-2 usn.ubuntu.com
RHSA-2018:2763 access.redhat.com
RHSA-2018:2924 access.redhat.com
RHSA-2018:3586 access.redhat.com
RHSA-2018:3643 access.redhat.com
RHSA-2018:2846 access.redhat.com
Listed in CISA KEV notes (git.kernel.org) git.kernel.org
Listed in CISA KEV notes (kernel.org) kernel.org