CVE-2018-25220

CRITICAL

Bochs 2.6-5 Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution

Title source: cna
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2018-25220. PoCs published by Juan Sacco.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit demonstrates a buffer overflow vulnerability in Bochs 2.6-5, leveraging a ROP chain to execute arbitrary code (specifically, spawning a shell). The PoC constructs a payload with padding and ROP gadgets to bypass memory protections and achieve code execution.

Description

Bochs 2.6-5 contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying an oversized input string to the application. Attackers can craft a malicious payload with 1200 bytes of padding followed by a return-oriented programming chain to overwrite the instruction pointer and execute shell commands with application privileges.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC
by Juan Sacco · pythonlocallinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43979

This exploit demonstrates a buffer overflow vulnerability in Bochs 2.6-5, leveraging a ROP chain to execute arbitrary code (specifically, spawning a shell). The PoC constructs a payload with padding and ROP gadgets to bypass memory protections and achieve code execution.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Bochs 2.6-5
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Bochs 2.6-5 installed on the target system · Ability to execute the Bochs binary with the crafted input
devstral-2 · analyzed Apr 08, 2026 Full analysis →

References (3)

Core 3
Core References
Exploit exploit
ExploitDB-43979
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43979
Product product
Official Product Homepage
http://bochs.sourceforge.net/
Third Party Advisory third-party-advisory
VulnCheck Advisory: Bochs 2.6-5 Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/bochs-5-buffer-overflow-remote-code-execution

Scores

CVSS v3 9.8
EPSS 0.0064
EPSS Percentile 45.6%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation poc
Automatable yes
Technical Impact total

Details

CWE
CWE-787
Status published
Products (2)
bochs/BOCHS 2.6-5
bochs_project/bochs 2.6.5
Published Mar 28, 2026
Tracked Since Mar 29, 2026