CVE-2018-14634
CVE-2018-14634 is a security flaw in Linux Kernel, the core of Linux, which runs most servers, Android phones and many home routers. Someone who already has a way in can corrupt memory in Linux Kernel to take more control. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 26 Jan 2026.[1]
Linux Kernel is business software or equipment. Most families won’t have it, but attackers break into it to get inside companies, and from there to what those companies hold about their customers, patients and staff. Linux has published a fix or advice.
Description
CISA calls it an integer overflow in Linux Kernel. In its words: “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.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “An integer overflow flaw was found in the Linux kernel's create_elf_tables() 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.”[2]
The underlying weakness is integer overflow (CWE-190), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it high, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.0.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record doesn’t list version ranges for it; Linux’s advisory has them[3]. CISA names the product as Linux Kernel.
Most families won’t have Linux Kernel; it’s for whoever looks after IT at work.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 26 Jan 2026, 2,680 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 16 Feb 2026 to fix it.[1]
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 15%. That’s in the top 4% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
Linux has published a fix or advice.[3] CISA’s 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.”[1]
- Check whether you use it.Linux Kernel is business software or equipment, so most families won’t have it. If you run a business, or work from home on company equipment, ask whoever looks after your IT.
- Send this page to your IT person.Ask them to confirm it’s fixed, or not in use. CISA gave US government agencies until 16 Feb 2026 to fix it.
- If it can’t be fixed, take it offline.CISA’s advice when there’s no fix is to stop using the product, or take it off the internet, until there is one.
You can’t fix someone else’s server, but you can watch for what follows a break-in like this: a breach notice, a password reset you didn’t ask for, or a scam message that knows things it shouldn’t. HARD watches for those for you and your family.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 7.8.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 15%.[4] |
See also
Other Linux Kernel flaws
- CVE-2026-46300: missing initialization of a variable ·
- CVE-2026-53266: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2025-39964: race condition ·
- CVE-2025-39682: improper check for unusual or exceptional conditions ·
- CVE-2026-53362: unspecified ·
- CVE-2022-0995: out-of-bounds write ·
Other integer overflow flaws
- CVE-2026-97229, GitLab Community Edition and Enterprise Edition: integer overflow or wraparound ·
- CVE-2025-48595, Android Framework: integer overflow ·
- CVE-2021-30952, Apple devices: integer overflow or wraparound ·
- CVE-2026-21385, Qualcomm Multiple Chipsets: memory corruption ·
- CVE-2025-24985, Microsoft Windows: fast FAT file system driver integer overflow ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2026-24061, GNU InetUtils: argument injection ·
- CVE-2026-23760, SmarterTools SmarterMail: authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel ·
- CVE-2026-21509, Microsoft Office: security feature bypass ·
- CVE-2025-52691, SmarterTools SmarterMail: unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type ·
Every Linux flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in January 2026
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Linux Kernel Integer Overflow Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 26 Jan 2026.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2018-14634 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 25 Sep 2018.
- ^ Linux. Advisories and fixes: git.kernel.org, kernel.org, access.redhat.com, security.netapp.com.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.147, percentile 96.7, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2018-14634”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.