CVE-2019-9896

Name: CVE-2019-9896
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2019-03-21T16:01:17.813+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.76%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2019-9896 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. In PuTTY versions before 0.71 on Windows, local attackers could hijack the application by putting a malicious help file in the same directory as the executable.. EPSS estimates a 0.76% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In PuTTY versions before 0.71 on Windows, local attackers could hijack the application by putting a malicious help file in the same directory as the executable.

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

0.76%

50.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-427

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Putty	Putty	< 0.71
Opensuse	Backports Sle	15.0
Opensuse	Leap	15.0

References

http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-04/msg00004.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-04/msg00020.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20190404-0001/Third Party Advisory
https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/changes.htmlRelease Notes, Third Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-04/msg00004.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2019-04/msg00020.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20190404-0001/Third Party Advisory
https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/changes.htmlRelease Notes, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Mar 21, 2019
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2019-9896?

In PuTTY versions before 0.71 on Windows, local attackers could hijack the application by putting a malicious help file in the same directory as the executable.

How severe is CVE-2019-9896?

CVE-2019-9896 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.76% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2019-9896?

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-2019-9896?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST