CVE-2019-20421

Name: CVE-2019-20421
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-01-27T05:15:10.453+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.5/10EPSS 4.30%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2019-20421 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.5/10 on the CVSS scale. In Jp2Image::readMetadata() in jp2image.cpp in Exiv2 0.27.2, an input file can result in an infinite loop and hang, with high CPU consumption. Remote attackers could leverage this vulnerability to cause a denial of service via a crafted file.. EPSS estimates a 4.30% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In Jp2Image::readMetadata() in jp2image.cpp in Exiv2 0.27.2, an input file can result in an infinite loop and hang, with high CPU consumption. Remote attackers could leverage this vulnerability to cause a denial of service via a crafted file.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.5/10

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

EPSS Probability

4.30%

89.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-835

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Exiv2	Exiv2	0.27.2
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	16.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	18.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	19.10
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0
Debian	Debian Linux	10.0

References

https://github.com/Exiv2/exiv2/commit/a82098f4f90cd86297131b5663c3dec6a34470e8Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/Exiv2/exiv2/issues/1011Exploit, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/08/msg00028.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4270-1/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4958Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/Exiv2/exiv2/commit/a82098f4f90cd86297131b5663c3dec6a34470e8Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/Exiv2/exiv2/issues/1011Exploit, Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/08/msg00028.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4270-1/Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4958Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Jan 27, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2019-20421?

How severe is CVE-2019-20421?

CVE-2019-20421 has a CVSS score of 7.5/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 4.30% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2019-20421?

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-2019-20421?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST