CVE-2018-25221
Memory Safety in Echatserver Easy Chat Server ≤ 3.1
Raw vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:XSummary
CVE-2018-25221 is a critical-severity Out-of-bounds Write (CWE-787) vulnerability in Echatserver Easy Chat Server. Its CVSS base score is 9.3 (Critical).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked in the top 46% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to SI-10 (Information Input Validation) and SI-16 (Memory Protection) — see the control section below for these in your framework.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
CVE-2018-25221 is a buffer overflow vulnerability (CWE-787) in EChat Server 3.1, specifically affecting the chat.ghp endpoint. The issue arises from processing an oversized username parameter, which can trigger a buffer overflow. Published on 2026-03-28, it carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating critical severity due to its potential for high-impact remote exploitation.
Remote, unauthenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a GET request to the chat.ghp endpoint with a malicious username parameter containing shellcode and ROP gadgets. Successful exploitation leads to arbitrary code execution in the context of the affected application.
Advisories and related resources include a Vulncheck advisory detailing the buffer overflow via the chat.ghp username parameter and a public exploit published on Exploit-DB at https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44155. No specific patch or mitigation details are outlined in the provided information.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2018-21700
Vulnerability Data
EChat Server 3.1 contains a buffer overflow vulnerability in the chat.ghp endpoint that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying an oversized username parameter. Attackers can send a GET request to chat.ghp with a malicious username value containing…
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shellcode and ROP gadgets to achieve code execution in the application context.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI
Why these techniques?
CVE-2018-25221 is a buffer overflow in a public-facing chat server endpoint (chat.ghp) allowing unauthenticated remote code execution via crafted GET request, directly mapping to Exploit Public-Facing Application.
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Requires validation of the oversized username parameter in the chat.ghp GET request to prevent buffer overflow exploitation.
Implements memory safeguards like DEP and ASLR to block execution of shellcode and ROP gadgets from the buffer overflow.
Directs identification, reporting, and patching of the specific buffer overflow flaw in EChat Server's chat.ghp endpoint.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Secure-development practices (static analysis, bounds checking, code review) are the primary means of preventing out-of-bounds writes.
Vulnerability scanning and recording can discover out-of-bounds write flaws so they can be remediated.
Patching or replacing vulnerable software directly eliminates known instances of this coding weakness.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Security testing in development and acceptance can detect and prevent out-of-bounds write defects.
Secure development life cycle mandates practices that prevent out-of-bounds writes.
Application security requirements can specify bounds-checking and safe memory handling.
Secure architecture and engineering principles reduce the likelihood of buffer overflows.
Secure coding directly addresses out-of-bounds writes through language choice and coding standards.
Change management can enforce review gates that catch unsafe memory operations before deployment.