CVE-2026-18718 in Ghidra
Summary
by MITRE • 08/03/2026
Ghidra contains an arbitrary code execution vulnerability in the Swift demangler analyzer that allows an attacker to execute arbitrary binaries by supplying a malicious Ghidra project with a crafted Swift tool directory path. When a victim opens the attacker-supplied project, SwiftDemanglerAnalyzer restores the persisted Swift binary directory from project state and SwiftNativeDemangler executes the resolved binary without integrity or signature verification, causing attacker-controlled executables to run under the Ghidra process user with no prompt or confirmation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2026
This vulnerability resides within Ghidra's Swift demangler analyzer component where improper input validation creates a critical arbitrary code execution vector. The flaw manifests when the SwiftDemanglerAnalyzer restores a persisted Swift binary directory path from project state data, which then gets processed by SwiftNativeDemangler without any form of integrity checking or signature verification. This design violates fundamental security principles by executing binaries based on user-supplied paths without proper authorization checks. The vulnerability operates under CWE-78 and CWE-74 standards, specifically addressing improper input validation and execution of externally provided code. When an attacker crafts a malicious Ghidra project containing a crafted Swift tool directory path, the victim's system becomes compromised upon project opening.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the lack of proper path validation and binary verification mechanisms within Ghidra's Swift analysis framework. The SwiftNativeDemangler component executes resolved binaries directly without any sandboxing or privilege separation, allowing attacker-controlled executables to run with the same privileges as the Ghidra process. This creates a complete arbitrary code execution scenario where an attacker can potentially escalate their privileges or execute malicious payloads that may leverage the victim's elevated permissions. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of improper input sanitization and insufficient binary verification processes.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to security-conscious users who regularly open project files from untrusted sources. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond opening the malicious project file, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may unknowingly open compromised files. The lack of user prompts or confirmation mechanisms during execution ensures that legitimate users cannot defend against this attack through simple cautionary measures. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which describes execution through command and script interpreters, as the attacker's malicious binaries are executed directly through the demangler process.
The impact extends beyond immediate code execution to potential privilege escalation scenarios where attackers can leverage the victim's Ghidra process privileges for further exploitation. Organizations using Ghidra for security analysis or reverse engineering become particularly vulnerable since these tools often run with elevated permissions. The vulnerability affects any version of Ghidra that implements Swift demangling capabilities, making it a widespread concern across multiple deployment environments. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing strict path validation and binary verification mechanisms within the Swift analyzer components, along with user education regarding project file sourcing and integrity verification practices.
Security measures to address this vulnerability include implementing robust input validation for directory paths, adding signature verification for all executed binaries, and establishing proper privilege separation between different components of the Ghidra analysis framework. Organizations should consider disabling Swift demangling functionality when opening untrusted projects or implementing additional verification steps before executing any binary code within the analysis environment. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in analysis tools where user input can directly influence execution paths and potentially compromise entire systems through seemingly benign operations.