CVE-2019-19726

Name: CVE-2019-19726
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2019-12-12T01:15:10.823+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 3.52%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2019-19726 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. OpenBSD through 6.6 allows local users to escalate to root because a check for LD_LIBRARY_PATH in setuid programs can be defeated by setting a very small RLIMIT_DATA resource limit. When executing chpass or passwd (which are setuid root), _dl_setup_env in ld.so tries to strip LD_LIBRARY_PATH from the environment, but fails when it cannot allocate memory. EPSS estimates a 3.52% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

OpenBSD through 6.6 allows local users to escalate to root because a check for LD_LIBRARY_PATH in setuid programs can be defeated by setting a very small RLIMIT_DATA resource limit. When executing chpass or passwd (which are setuid root), _dl_setup_env in ld.so tries to strip LD_LIBRARY_PATH from the environment, but fails when it cannot allocate memory. Thus, the attacker is able to execute their own library code as root.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

3.52%

87.8th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-269

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Openbsd	Openbsd	<= 6.6

References

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/155658/Qualys-Security-Advisory-OpenBSD-Dynamic-Loader-Privilege-Escalation.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/155764/OpenBSD-Dynamic-Loader-chpass-Privilege-Escalation.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/174986/glibc-ld.so-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/Dec/31Exploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Oct/11
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/03/2
https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Dec/25Exploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://www.openbsd.org/errata66.htmlPatch, Vendor Advisory
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/12/11/9Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/155658/Qualys-Security-Advisory-OpenBSD-Dynamic-Loader-Privilege-Escalation.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/155764/OpenBSD-Dynamic-Loader-chpass-Privilege-Escalation.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/174986/glibc-ld.so-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/Dec/31Exploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2023/Oct/11
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/10/03/2
https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2019/Dec/25Exploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://www.openbsd.org/errata66.htmlPatch, Vendor Advisory
https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/12/11/9Mailing List, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Dec 12, 2019
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2019-19726?

How severe is CVE-2019-19726?

CVE-2019-19726 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 3.52% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2019-19726?

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.

Are you affected by CVE-2019-19726?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST