CVE-2019-16928
CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 42.48%
Last modified
CVE-2019-16928 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Exim 4.92 through 4.92.2 allows remote code execution, a different vulnerability than CVE-2019-15846. There is a heap-based buffer overflow in string_vformat in string.c involving a long EHLO command.. CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 42.48% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.
Description
Exim 4.92 through 4.92.2 allows remote code execution, a different vulnerability than CVE-2019-15846. There is a heap-based buffer overflow in string_vformat in string.c involving a long EHLO command.
Metrics
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploitation Status
This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by .
Weakness Enumeration
Affected Software
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| Exim | Exim | >= 4.92, <= 4.92.2 |
| Canonical | Ubuntu Linux | 19.04 |
| Debian | Debian Linux | 10.0 |
| Fedoraproject | Fedora | 29 |
| Fedoraproject | Fedora | 30 |
| Fedoraproject | Fedora | 31 |
References
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/09/28/1Exploit, Mailing List, Mitigation, Third Party Advisory
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/09/28/2Exploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/09/28/3Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/09/28/4Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- https://bugs.exim.org/show_bug.cgi?id=2449Issue Tracking, Patch, Vendor Advisory
- https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Sep/60Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202003-47Third Party Advisory
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4141-1/Third Party Advisory
- https://www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4536Third Party Advisory
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/09/28/1Exploit, Mailing List, Mitigation, Third Party Advisory
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/09/28/2Exploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/09/28/3Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/09/28/4Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- https://bugs.exim.org/show_bug.cgi?id=2449Issue Tracking, Patch, Vendor Advisory
- https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Sep/60Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202003-47Third Party Advisory
- https://usn.ubuntu.com/4141-1/Third Party Advisory
- https://www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4536Third Party Advisory
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-16928US Government Resource
Timeline
- Published
- Last Modified
- Status
- Analyzed
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2019-16928?
Exim 4.92 through 4.92.2 allows remote code execution, a different vulnerability than CVE-2019-15846. There is a heap-based buffer overflow in string_vformat in string.c involving a long EHLO command.
How severe is CVE-2019-16928?
CVE-2019-16928 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 42.48% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
How do I fix CVE-2019-16928?
Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.
How Strix Helps
- How Strix found a critical auth bypass in etcdStrix autonomously discovered a critical authentication bypass in etcd, later designated CVE-2026-33413.
- Autonomous PentestingAI agents that find and validate exploitable vulnerabilities like this one across your applications.
- PR ReviewsPentest every pull request so vulnerable code is caught before it ships to production.
- AI Penetration TestingHow AI-driven penetration testing continuously covers your attack surface.
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Are you affected by CVE-2019-16928?
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