CVE-2019-16928: Exim Out-of-bounds Write Vulnerability

Published Sep 27, 2019
·
Updated

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 stringvformat in string.c involving a long EHLO command.

Other sources

Exim contains an out-of-bounds write vulnerability which can allow for remote code execution.

CISA

Affected Software

8 affected componentsFixes available
Exim Exim Internet Mailer
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
debian/exim4
4.94.2-7+deb11u34.94.2-7+deb11u64.96-15+deb12u104.98.2-1+deb13u34.98.2-1+deb13u44.99.4-2

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/exim4 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.94.2-7+deb11u3Fixed in 4.94.2-7+deb11u6Fixed in 4.96-15+deb12u10Fixed in 4.98.2-1+deb13u3Fixed in 4.98.2-1+deb13u4Fixed in 4.99.4-2

Event History

Sep 27, 2019
CVE Published
via MITRE·08:07 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·08:07 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·09:15 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Mar 3, 2022
Known Exploited
via CISA·12:00 AM
Aug 29, 2025
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·12:07 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Sep 14, 2025
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·12:08 AM
Description
Aug 1, 2026
Data Sourced
via Debian·11:57 AM
DescriptionAffected Software
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2019-16928?

CVE-2019-16928 is an Exim vulnerability that allows remote code execution through a heap-based buffer overflow in string_vformat.

2

What is the severity of CVE-2019-16928?

CVE-2019-16928 is classified as critical with a severity value of 9.8.

3

Which software is affected by CVE-2019-16928?

Exim Internet Mailer versions 4.92 through 4.92.2, Canonical Ubuntu Linux 19.04, Debian Linux 10.0, and Fedora versions 29, 30, and 31 are affected by CVE-2019-16928.

4

How can I fix CVE-2019-16928?

To fix CVE-2019-16928, you should update to the latest versions of the affected software, such as Exim 4.92-8+deb10u6 or higher, Exim 4.92-8+deb10u8 or higher, Exim 4.94.2-7 or higher, Exim 4.94.2-7+deb11u1 or higher, Exim 4.96-15+deb12u1 or higher, Exim 4.96-15+deb12u2 or higher, or Exim 4.97~RC2-2 or higher, depending on your software version.

5

Where can I find more information about CVE-2019-16928?

You can find more information about CVE-2019-16928 at the following references: [Openwall 1](http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/09/28/1), [Openwall 2](http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/09/28/2), [Openwall 3](http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2019/09/28/3).

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